tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48983612398303837572014-10-28T18:06:45.569+05:30BLANK NOISE ACTION HEROESJnoreply@blogger.comBlogger444125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898361239830383757.post-58983625004781746962014-02-20T14:57:00.000+05:302014-02-20T14:57:25.015+05:30Action Hero Richa Sheoran<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Blog-a-thon 2006 <b>BEING FEARLESS IS A PROCESS</b> <a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="color: #009eb8; display: inline; outline: none; text-decoration: none;">how did you learn to say no?</a> <a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="color: #009eb8; display: inline; outline: none; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #009eb8;">How and when you become an&nbsp;</span><b style="color: #009eb8; display: inline; outline: none; text-decoration: none;">Action Hero</b></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Hi this is Richa Sheoran. I am sharing my story of sexual violence as I know every girl starts facing it the moment they are born. I have spent the maximum years of my life in a city called Yamunanagar which belongs to Haryana, India.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">There are many incidents where I have come across sexual violence or eve-teasing at so many places, be it school, college, IT company, street, near my home, in many public places. I am sharing some of my horrendous experiences.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I remember wandering on bicycle with my little sister on some day when I was around 12 years old. We were stopped by a man who was fixing his bicycle's chain. He needed our help in getting some water and fixing that thing by helping him. Out of humanity we thought we should help him, so we just parked our vehicle. We went to him and he asked me to hold some of his bicycle's part. After sometime, I started feeling uneasy as I felt his hands touching on my back. I was so horrified that I asked my sister to immediately come with me and we just rushed to home. We both were shocked and scared that we never told this to anyone in our family.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Most of these experiences I had while coming back from school and while going to attend my coaching classes when I was in 10th, 11th and 12th standard. One day when, as per my routine, <b>I was going for one of my coaching classes on my cycle after coming back from school, I was just 100 metres away from my home that I felt some boys on bike chasing me. </b>I was very nervous and increased my speed. But as they were on bike, the bike came near to me and one of the boys hit me on my chest and after that they sped away shamelessly. That incident happened in front of a gurudwara and I stopped and started crying there. I was shivering very badly but then I gained some strength as I had to reach my coaching classes on time. Again when I had just travelled around 100 metres, one more bike came from behind with one person sitting on that. He slowed his bike near my cycle and again hit me on the same place and immediately disappeared giving me no time to react. I was badly broken that day as the same thing happened twice with me. After my coaching class got over, I rushed back for home but was very scared from inside and praying to God so that I reach home safely this time. <b>I was shivering and crying like hell and hinted my mother indirectly that from now onwards, I am not going for coaching classes. After that day, my father appointed a helper working in our family to accompany me to all the coaching classes which I needed to attend and also back to home also. It went like this for almost an year but I was not strong enough to go alone on myself.</b> <b>After one year, my father purchased me a scooty and then I started going everywhere by myself. Then also, I was chased by many bikes and listened to many comments passed on to me by males standing near my coaching classes. Eventually I thought that I only have to raise a voice for myself and have to give back to the shameless people harassing me. Otherwise I would be living my life with fear and trauma. So I started facing those boys and other men who felt that girls are meant to be disrespected. And I started gaining the courage and strength as I learnt to fight </b>for myself and against all those men. &nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am a changed girl since last 7-8 years of my life and I feel strong and confident when I step out of my home and travel alone. I have many a times replied back to the eve-teasers passing comments to me in the middle of a street and screamed at them. They have got no right to point to me or even say anything to me. I can do whatever I want to and go wherever my heart wishes to. I want all the girls to move fearlessly as it is the question of our life, our dignity and our self-respect.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This is my action hero story.</span></div>Jnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898361239830383757.post-48721290159104789502014-02-18T12:01:00.000+05:302014-02-18T12:01:11.501+05:30Action Hero Aparna <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blog-a-thon 2006 <b>BEING FEARLESS IS A PROCESS</b>&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">H<a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="color: #009eb8; display: inline; outline: none; text-decoration: none;">ow did you learn to say no?</a>&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="color: #009eb8; display: inline; outline: none; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #009eb8;">How and when you become an&nbsp;</span><b style="color: #009eb8; display: inline; outline: none; text-decoration: none;">Action Hero</b></a></span></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I was going to start this with a basic introduction, but what</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">difference does it make? We're all people who have had experiences</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">that we've shaken off or disregarded when we shouldn't have. I grew up</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">in the suburbs of Detroit, a city called Troy, which was actually</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">quite safe as a town but even from a young age, I remember my older</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">sister telling me stories of how she'd been harassed. I moved to</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">India, to a coastal town called Visakhapatnam when I started</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">experiencing these kinds of things first hand.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I could list out a number of stories, the cat-calling and the</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">eve-teasing that happened so frequently and fervently that I stopped</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">acknowledging them but I'm going to share a specific one.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I went to a coaching centre for 11th and 12th grade, Narayana, if</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">you're familiar with it. It was ridiculous; spending almost 12 hours</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">on a daily basis in cement building but that was the way things were</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">done. I was taking my evening break, walking down to a local bakery to</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">get some food with a few friends when two guys on a bike cat called us</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">from across the road. We laughed and let it go, it was a regular</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">thing.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">But then it wasn't.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I drove from and to junior college on my Pleasure and this particular</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">evening, as usual, I left around&nbsp;</span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_531814145" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">8:30</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">&nbsp;to head home when I noticed</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">these two guys on the bike, following me. At first, I tried to stay</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">calm, take populated roads and avoid them. They sped up and started</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">talking lewdly; I drove faster, weaving my way through traffic in ways</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">that might've ended up in a horrible accident if I wasn't as lucky as</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I was that night.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I was hitting the highway when they shouted across to try to get me to</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">stop driving like a maniac and talk to them. I was frightened to the</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">extent to which I shut off all good reason and sped home. I parked</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">into my apartment and watched as they drove up and down my road trying</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">to figure out where I'd vanished.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">That night I went home, sat in my room and let tears fill my eyes. It</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">wasn't only that I was scared, but that those men had managed to get</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">to me and objectify me to such an extent that I was disgusted with</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">myself. And in that moment, I let them. I let what two gross and moral</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">less men treated me as get to my head and I felt sick.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I didn't speak much about it to anyone, hoping it was a one time</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">thing. I asked my brother to drop me off the next day, and the day</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">after. The third day, I chose to drive alone, calmed now that it was</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">in the past. They found me again that day, and then the next.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">It was at that point that I chose to tell my mother which resulted in</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">my uncle coming along with one of his friends who was a cop, which put</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">an end to that fiasco, after almost a week.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">And I'm one of the lucky ones that got away, that didn't fall prey to</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">any more harm. That's not always the case. Rape is real and it's never</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">the victim's fault. Our society doesn't stress that fact enough.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Harassment is real and it's never the victim's fault. No matter what</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">you're wearing or doing, no one has the right to objectify you, or</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">treat you with any less respect than they would any other person.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">That was the last time I ever let any lowlife get to me. I vowed</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">against it. I chose to never let things get that far again. And I know</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">worse cases. I know friends who have been raped, who've had their</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">heads slammed against brick walls and who have been left unconscious</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">on empty streets. All these things are real and they could happen to</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">any one. Sometimes you just get lucky and things don't go that far,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">but that never means they couldn't.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Since then, I've moved again and again, to Bangalore and Mangalore and</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">these things still happen. It doesn't change, regardless of where you</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">live, the US, India, Antarctica; we have to make our own cities safe,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">our own surroundings safe.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This is the story that resulted in all my angst against inequality and</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">harassment become vocal and expressive. This is my action hero story.</span></div>Jnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898361239830383757.post-24635574290155177812013-12-01T14:26:00.002+05:302013-12-01T14:26:54.982+05:30Action Hero Game: Bangalore 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7NmBikukLCM/UprsNFahU5I/AAAAAAAABvM/Yn9xHaqFPbU/s1600/ActionHeroTrusha.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7NmBikukLCM/UprsNFahU5I/AAAAAAAABvM/Yn9xHaqFPbU/s320/ActionHeroTrusha.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br /> <br /><b>How are you feeling?</b><br />I am happy about myself. I do feel like sharing my experiences about today.<br /> <br /><b>What is your name?</b><br /><b></b>Trusha<br /> <br /><b>Where are you playing from?</b><br />NES yelahanka, Bangalore<br /> <br /><b>Why did you choose this location?</b><br />It was somewhere near to where I live but very unfamiliar<br /> <br /><b>Gender</b><br />Female<br /> <br /><b>What is your age?</b><br />19<br /> <br /><b>1) Unfold your arms. Stand with feet apart on the ground. Take a deep breathe. Observe the place you are in. (Colours. Smell. People. Textures. Make a mental note)</b><br />Near the bus stop.<br />Lots of different people. Sarees, bags, luggage, boys, men, purple, red, blue jeans, black, colourful dupatas, headphones and music, buses, people waiting, people wandering, people looking and observing.<br /> <br /><b>2) Keep your chin raised. Make eye contact. Slowly walk up and down the place. Keep those arms swinging. Smile.</b><br />I really enjoyed that walk. People looked at me, not stared. They knew I looked confident but wondered what was I doing. I am always walking like this when I am alone from now.<br /> <br /><b>3) Sit down. Lean back. Arch your back. Stretch your arms. What is the colour of the sky? What is the colour of your eyes ? Smile.</b><br />I felt really relaxed and I didn’t realise I was sitting in a public place as I was done.<br /> <br /><b>4) Stand up. YAWN. Wide open yawn. 5 times. Stretch some more. Twist. Stretch. Yawn.</b><br />I saw so many eyes on me and were saying, “What is happening here?” They all thought I was a psychopath.<br /> <br /><b>5) Walk left by 100 steps. Stop. Make eye contact with 3 different strangers. Smile. Earn a smile back from all three.</b><br />I first smiled at a guy sitting on his bike. He looked back and saw who was I smiling at and then he came to know I was smiling at him so gave me a half smile. Then I smiled at 2 girls and an old man walking and they happily smiled back<br /> <br /><b>6) Walk left by 39 steps. Identify a stranger to talk to. You have fifteen minutes to talk with this person.</b><br />I arrived at the bus stop and first talked to a lady but then she wasn’t interested so went to a girl who was around my age and talked about her college and my college, what we study, where we live andfamily background, and what we do for timepass.<br /> <br /><b>7) Ask someone to take a photo of you where you are. Use ur mobile phone camera.</b><br />I asked the same stranger I spoke to earlier.<br /> <br /><b>8) Say out loud. “I pledge to unlearn fear. To be visible. To occupy space. My City. Action Hero + your name.” </b><br />Very hard to say this.<br /> <br /><b>9) Hungry? It’s time for lunch! Find a place to eat. Join a stranger over a meal. Find out what they love to eat the most. Tell them about your most favourite food. </b><br />I couldnt find a person (or even two) sitting alone so I sat with this girl after looking for so long and came to know she was from srishti. So I talked to her about what she eats everyday and if she likes the food she gets here.<br /> <br /><b>10) Exit 50 steps right from where you’re eating. Rub your tummy. Stop. LOL. laugh out loud.</b><br />I was on the footpath. I was stared and laughed at so it was funny and unusual.<br /> <br /><b>11) Hum. Whistle. Sing your favourite song.</b><br /><i>Ajeeb dastan hai yeh</i>. Good. After a point i didnt care if anyone was looking at me or not.<br /> <br /><b>12) Fancy volunteering? Find someone working outside. Ask them if u can work w for 30 min. Don’t go to lonely shop in lane. Stay Outside</b><br />I went to a pani puri stall. I asked the guy and I had smiled at him while walking before so he agreed. It was strange for people to get served from a girl.<br /> <br /><b>13) Create an activity that would involve public participation. Could be cleaning. singing. story telling. 30 minutes.</b><br /><b></b>It was difficult as a lot of people around me couldn’t speak the language. So this was a fail.<br /> <br /><b>14) Walk towards a bus stop. On the way , find someone sitting alone. Talk with them. Tell them something about you no one knows. Walk away.</b><br />I walked and saw a new guy serving <i>pani puri</i> and told him that I stole Rs. 2 from moms cupboard to eat ice stick when I was little. I had never shared that before so good and realized it was not a big deal.<br /> <br /><b>15) Walk alone. Keep walking in the direction of your home. Walk to the next bus stop. Walk slow. Smile. Walk slow. Enjoy the rain.</b><br />I was confident. I didn’t care about what were people thinking. Smiling was good. I felt everyone was good people around me.<br /> <br /><b>16) What have you discovered about your city?</b><br />People can be good and friendly if you approach them in a nice way<br /> <br /><b>17) What have you discovered about yourself?</b><br />I am able to not judge people.<br /> <br /><b>18) What have you discovered about strangers?</b><br />Just smile and it will be alright<br /> <br /><b>19) How would you rate your experience?</b><br />Adventurous<br /> <br /><b>20) What does it mean to be an Action Hero?</b><br />Being confident and doing weird things in public. Make people uncomfortable and enjoy it.<br /> <br /><hr /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lKTP9mLzFgY/UprsbzXfbzI/AAAAAAAABvU/kLdSm2s0dX0/s1600/RuchirSCP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lKTP9mLzFgY/UprsbzXfbzI/AAAAAAAABvU/kLdSm2s0dX0/s320/RuchirSCP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><b>How are you feeling?</b><br />It was a different experience. I loved the tasks they were asking me to get out of my comfort zone and question my boundaries. I also liked the various reactions I got and how I had a challenge to face in every step I took.<br /> <br /><b>What is your name?</b><br />Ruchir Gupta<br /> <br /><b>Where are you playing from?</b><br />Bangalore<br /> <br /><b>Why did you choose this location?</b><br />Because I have never been to this part of the city and heard a lot about it and also the fact that the crowd here is very different with mixed cultures.<br /> <br /><b>Gender</b><br />Male<br /> <br /><b>What is your age?</b><br />19<br /> <br /><b>1) Unfold your arms. Stand with feet apart on the ground. Take a deep breathe. Observe the place you are in. (Colours. Smell. People. Textures. Make a mental note)</b><br />I could see alot of greenery and venders across the street with different products to sell full of enthusiasm. The place smells of wet leaves and yummy street food.<br /> <br /><b>2)Keep your chin raised. Make eye contact. Slowly walk up and down the place. Keep those arms swinging. Smile.</b><br />I could feel a sense of freedom and also had this proud feeling within.<br /> <br /><b>3) Sit down. Lean back. Arch your back. Stretch your arms. What is the colour of the sky? What is the colour of your eyes ? Smile.</b><br />I was visualizing how a safe city would look like. The sky was grey and that was the first time I could see layers.<br /> <br /><b>4) Stand up. YAWN. Wide open yawn. 5 times. Stretch some more. Twist. Stretch. Yawn.</b><br />At first I was feeling embarrassed to do this but I questioned myself and did it. It felt different and nice.<br /> <br /><b>5) Walk left by 100 steps. Stop. Make eye contact with 3 different strangers. Smile. earn a smile back from all three.</b><br />Out of three I earned a smile from one and the other two got creeped out but I apologised to them and I arrived at a construction site.<br /> <br /><b>6) Walk left by 39 steps. Identify a stranger to talk to. You have fifteen minutes to talk with this person.</b><br />There was a guard I spoke to for about 15-20 minutes. He was from Assam and both of us talked about bangalore and our home towns.<br /> <br /><b>7) Ask someone to take a photo of you where you are. Use ur mobile phone camera.</b><br />The guard I spoke to.<br /> <br /><b>8) Say out loud. ” I pledge to unlearn fear. To be visible. To occupy space. My City. Action Hero + your name” </b><br />I felt proud and different.<br /> <br /><b>9) Hungry? It’s time for lunch! Find a place to eat. Join a stranger over a meal. Find out what they love to eat the most. Tell them about your most favourite food. </b><br />I ate with an aunty and her two sons and they loved the burgers at mcdonalds and then i just spoke to them about there school and life.<br /> <br /><b>10) Exit 50 steps right from where you’re eating. Rub your tummy. Stop. LOL. laugh out loud.</b><br />I did but not loudly because I felt weird.<br /> <br /><b>11) Hum. Whistle. Sing your favourite song.</b><br />My favourite song – Fix You by Coldplay. I could see people starring at me.<br /> <br /><b>12) Fancy volunteering? Find someone working outside. Ask them if u can work w for 30 min. Don’t go to lonely shop in lane. Stay Outside</b><br />Asked a few; no success.<br /> <br /><b>13) Create an activity that would involve public participation. Could be cleaning. singing. story telling. 30 minutes</b><br />Tried asking people to bid farewell to Sachin Tendulkar; only one did.<br /> <br /><b>14) Walk towards a bus stop. On the way, find someone sitting alone. Talk with them. Tell them something about you no one knows. Walk away.</b><br />I couldn’t find anyone as it was raining.<br /> <br /><b>15) Walk alone. Keep walking in the direction of your home. Walk to the next bus stop. Walk slow. Smile. Walk slow. Enjoy the rain.</b><br />I felt like Bangalore should make you feel.<br /> <br /><b>16) Take the bus home. Occupy space. Assert presence. Think of where you want to sit. Sit or stand next to someone you find comforting. Talk about all the things you both love about Bangalore.</b><br />I did but the other person didn’t. He did listen to me very carefully, though.<br /> <br /><b>17) What have you discovered about your city?</b><br />A lot of stuff which is hard to explain. I think I would prefer making something.<br /> <br /><b>18) What have you discovered about yourself?</b><br />I felt like a free bird who was flying high <img alt=":D" class="wp-smiley" src="http://s0.wp.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif?m=1129645325g" /> <br /> <br /><b>19) What have you discovered about strangers?</b><br />Not everyone is a bad person we need to change our perspective and eye.<br /> <br /><b>20) How would you rate your experience?<b></b><br />thrilling</b><br /> <br /><hr /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-npgJBAYvnTo/Uprsl7VarfI/AAAAAAAABvc/_FSVJSt_YC8/s1600/ActionHeroSharanya.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-npgJBAYvnTo/Uprsl7VarfI/AAAAAAAABvc/_FSVJSt_YC8/s320/ActionHeroSharanya.jpeg" width="286" /></a></div><b>How are you feeling?</b><br />I liked some of the tasks set, some others induced much boredom, and some were downright fun<br /> <br /><b>What is your name?</b><br />Sharanya<br /> <br /><b>Where are you playing from?</b><br />Bangalore<br /> <br /><b>What is your age?</b><br />19<br /> <br /><b>1) Unfold your arms. Stand with feet apart on the ground. Take a deep breathe. Observe the place you are in. (Colours. Smell. People. Textures. Make a mental note)</b><br />Petrichor<br />Cool breeze<br />Pretty quiet, but vehicle sounds in the distance<br />Sharp, gray morning<br />Brisk<br /> <br /><b>2)Keep your chin raised. Make eye contact. Slowly walk up and down the place. Keep those arms swinging. Smile.</b><br />There weren’t a lot of people in the area, yet, so there weren’t many people to talk to/smile at, and while there were a couple of people who responded, the smile was, for the large part, ignored, seeing as most people didn’t tend to make eye contact.<br /> <br /><b>3) Sit down. Lean back. Arch your back. Stretch your arms. What is the colour of the sky? What is the colour of your eyes ? Smile.</b><br />The sky is gray. Not dark, nimbostratus clouds, but uniformly light gray.<br /> <br /><b>4) Stand up. YAWN. Wide open yawn. 5 times. Stretch some more. Twist. Stretch. Yawn.</b><br />I had to fake yawn, seeing as it was a brisk day, rather unfavorable for yawns.<br /> <br /><b>5) Walk left by 100 steps. Stop. Make eye contact with 3 different strangers. Smile. earn a smile back from all three.</b><br />It was a row of houses on one side, and commercial establishments on the other, and I landed up in front of a grocery shop.<br />I smiled at two people walking by, one laden with bags, one not, and at a lady walking her dogs. The lady smiled back at me, but the shopper and the other man didn’t.<br /> <br /><b>6) Walk left by 39 steps. Identify a stranger to talk to. You have fifteen minutes to talk with this person.</b><br />I had to hover around until someone who seemed appropriately idle passed by, and I initiated a conversation with a lady and her son. I started with greeting the son and wishing his mother a good morning. They told me they were on their way to the boy’s grandparents’ house.<br />When asked, the boy told me he intended to eat an ice cream cone.<br /> <br /><b>7) Ask someone to take a photo of you where you are. Use your mobile phone camera.</b><br />I asked a caucasian couple to oblige me the photograph<br /> <br /><b>8) Say out loud. ” I pledge to unlearn fear. To be visible. To occupy space. My City. Action Hero + your name” </b><br />I was sitting on a bench by a shop front when I said this, and there were about five people who heard me and turned around. I grinned at them, and while four of them clearly thought I was bonkers, one of them grinned back.<br /> <br /><b>9) Hungry? It’s time for lunch! Find a place to eat. Join a stranger over a meal. Find out what they love to eat the most. Tell them about your most favourite food. </b><br />I relocated to a McDonald’s establishment for lunch. I ate a Chicken McGrill meal.<br />There wasn’t anyone I could approach at the restaurant.<br />My favorite food is chicken teriyaki.<br /> <br /><b>10) Exit 50 steps right from where you’re eating. Rub your tummy. Stop. LOL. laugh out loud.</b><br />I did laugh out loud; while there was nothing to laugh at, or no one to listen to me laughing, it felt kinda great – nothing beats a full stomach.<br /> <br /><b>11) Hum. Whistle. Sing your favourite song.</b><br />My favorite song is Lazarus, by Porcupine Tree. I regularly tend to hum/sing if I’m walking by myself, and the whole atmosphere felt kinda mellow.<br /> <br /><b>12) Fancy volunteering? Find someone working outside. Ask them if u can work w for 30 min. Don’t go to lonely shop in lane. Stay Outside</b><br />I wasn’t able to volunteer any work at my location. However, I did help an old lady carry furniture to her house on my way home from the bus stop. I ran into her a coupla blocks into my walk, and she was taking a break from carrying a wooden chair. I offered to carry it the rest of the way, and she acquiesced. She told me she was moving two wooden chairs from her friend’s house, two blocks away, and that this was the first. I helped her out with the second, while she told me she lived with her husband, and that her two daughters visited occasionally from Mumbai.<br /> <br /><b>13) Create an activity that would involve public participation. Could be cleaning. singing. story telling. 30 minutes</b><br />I would have very much liked to have initiated an activity, but the area I was in wasn’t conducive to holding impromptu events. And the people didn’t seem like the kind to be responsive.<br /> <br /><b>14) Walk towards a bus stop. On the way , find someone sitting alone. Talk with them. Tell them something about you no one knows. Walk away.</b><br />I met someone at the bus stop. We were both college students waiting for the same bus series of bus numbers.<br /> <br /><b>15) Walk alone. Keep walking in the direction of your home. Walk to the next bus stop. Walk slow. Smile. Walk slow. Enjoy the rain.</b><br />I got a bus before this text reached me, actually…<br /> <br /><b>16) Take the bus home. Occupy space. Assert presence. Think of where you want to sit. Sit or stand next to someone you find comforting. Talk about all the things you both love about Bangalore.</b><br />I continued talking to the girl I met at the bus stop.<br />She’s in law school, and she hopes to major in international law. She told me about an internship she had taken in Delhi last summer – and told me how different Bangalore and Delhi were. She said Delhi was intense – the people were very intense. While people tend to be a bit more relaxed in Bangalore.<br />She said it’d require “skills” to survive in Delhi.<br /> <br /><b>17) What have you discovered about your city?</b><br />Most of the time (specially on rainy days), I hold Bangalore in dubious regard. It’s rather noisy, very crowded, and kinda unclean.<br />But sometimes, I really like the city, and today, after lunch, was one of those times.<br /> <br /><b>18) What have you discovered about yourself?</b><br />I liked the fact that I spent the whole day in a rather introspective fashion.<br />And even the traffic (made worse by the rain) on my way home didn’t bother me.<br /> <br /><b>19) What have you discovered about strangers?</b><br />I discovered that some people are less suspicious than others.<br />On the other hand, coming from a society where it is the norm to greet/smile at/enquire after people you see around you – on a genuine, yet general note – the fact that these exercises required an in-depth questioning of taciturn people was a bit uncomfortable. And I do understand the reasons behind their reluctance, but I still think Bangalore has a long way to go when it comes to responding to general, friendly enquiries.<br /> <br /><b>20) How would you rate your experience?</b><br />Dull, open, happy, exciting, free<br /> <br /><hr /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-umMa5rO__kE/Upr23GsKlZI/AAAAAAAABvw/zgfpMAhxgNA/s1600/SHRUTI+ACTION+HERO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-umMa5rO__kE/Upr23GsKlZI/AAAAAAAABvw/zgfpMAhxgNA/s320/SHRUTI+ACTION+HERO.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><b>How are you feeling?</b><br />I was a bit disappointed and extremely uncomfortable and unprepared. I felt that I was ready but then realized I wasn’t.<br />I feel the first step should have been in a known surrounding at least.<br />This game needs steps to play.. not one huge leap.<br /> <br /><b>What is your name?</b><br />Shruti<br /> <br /><b>Where are you playing from?</b><br />Bangalore<br /> <br /><b>Why did you choose this location?</b><br />Completely unknown<br /> <br /><b>Gender</b><br />Female<br /> <br /><b>What is your age?</b><br />18<br /> <br /><b>1) Unfold your arms. Stand with feet apart on the ground. Take a deep breathe. Observe the place you are in. (Colours. Smell. People. Textures. Make a mental note)</b><br />Shivajinagar Bus stop. Discomfort. Constant need to fold hands. Fidgety. Dull colors. Not a single happy face. People with Sad and gloomy faces, walking in a fast pace. Big bright red bus. A boy selling fans walks ahead. Stops. Stares. Stands for good 10 minutes. Comes in front, looks straight in my eyes and asked whether i would like to purchase his fans. Unlike the usual times i smiled and politely said no. Strange stares. Mocking. Women in burka pass by. with only beautiful eyes visible. Smell of urine all around. Nausea. Smell of a lady wearing garland a relief to the nose.<br />Initially tough but otherwise after sometime easy.<br />Huge tendency to daydream.<br /> <br /><b>2) Keep your chin raised. Make eye contact. Slowly walk up and down the place. Keep those arms swinging. Smile.</b><br />Could manage to keep chin raised. Eye contact was a bit tough as people were in a hurry and themselves found it weird to make eye contact. So they would just glance and walk away.<br />Did not swing arms. Felt shy.<br /> <br /><b>3) Sit down. Lean back. Arch your back. Stretch your arms. What is the colour of the sky? What is the colour of your eyes ? Smile.</b><br />Sat down… stretched arms. unable to see sky as it was partially sunny…. saw bright circles after looking down… Sky was Bright blue… almost whitish grey. Color of my eyes at that time felt white for some odd reason.<br /> <br /><b>4) Stand up. YAWN. Wide open yawn. 5 times. Stretch some more. Twist. Stretch. Yawn.</b><br />Stood up… yawned. Awkwardness took over. did not yawn freely. Yawned only thrice that too by covering my mouth. twisted a little.<br /> <br /><b>5) Walk left by 100 steps. Stop. Make eye contact with 3 different strangers. Smile. earn a smile back from all three.</b><br />Walked while looking down… literally counted the number of steps…. tried making eye contact with strangers.. but they would only glance once… was a bit frustrated at this point.<br /> <br /><b>6) Walk left by 39 steps. Identify a stranger to talk to. You have fifteen minutes to talk with this person.</b><br />Found a jewelry shop.. tried striking a conversation with him… he was too busy…<br />Everyone is in such hurry! it’s unbelievable! <img alt=":o" class="wp-smiley" src="http://s1.wp.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_surprised.gif?m=1129645325g" /><br />nobody just sits/stands and breathes for a second! <img alt=":o" class="wp-smiley" src="http://s1.wp.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_surprised.gif?m=1129645325g" /> <br /> <br /><b>7) Ask someone to take a photo of you where you are. Use ur mobile phone camera.</b><br />This very sweet lady in a beautiful pink sari and gajra on her hair<br /> <br /><b>8) Say out loud. “I pledge to unlearn fear. To be visible. To occupy space. My City. Action Hero + your name” </b><br />Read this out loud while looking at phone. Could have been done better.<br /> <br /><b>9) Hungry? It’s time for lunch! Find a place to eat. Join a stranger over a meal. Find out what they love to eat the most. Tell them about your most favourite food. </b><br />Ended up meeting some known people… ate chicken burger.. i love lasagne <img alt=":)" class="wp-smiley" src="http://s0.wp.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif?m=1129645325g" /><br />well the other persons favorite food was crabs.<br /> <br /><b>10) Exit 50 steps right from where you’re eating. Rub your tummy. Stop. LOL. laugh out loud.</b><br />Hahahah i walked ahead and i rubbed my tummy ever so shyly and did end up laughing out loud… it was fun and relieving <img alt=":)" class="wp-smiley" src="http://s0.wp.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif?m=1129645325g" /> <br /> <br /><b>11) Hum. Whistle. Sing your favourite song.</b><br />Sang feeling good by nina simone…. laughed harder as it was getting so nice and light and mystical <img alt=":)" class="wp-smiley" src="http://s0.wp.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif?m=1129645325g" /> <br /> <br /><b>12) Fancy volunteering? Find someone working outside. Ask them if u can work w for 30 min. Don’t go to lonely shop in lane. Stay Outside</b><br />Couldn’t do this task <img alt=":(" class="wp-smiley" src="http://s0.wp.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_sad.gif?m=1129645325g" /> <br /> <br /><b>13) Create an activity that would involve public participation. Could be cleaning. singing. story telling. 30 minutes</b> Felt too awkward and alone…<br />I sat in my bus.. as it arrived the moment i reached the bus stop. Sat next to a very sweet lady.. asked her which stop was she getting off on and whether she could tell me if this bus went to my stop. Sat with her the whole time… asked her where she lived she couldn’t understand. She got off after 5 minutes.<br />two girls came and sat in front of me… one of them accidently stepped on my foot. Immediately she touched my feet and said sorry. I was so happy to see how some people still believe in such deeds and still have so much respect.<br />It was a nice moment.. i said it’s ok and held her hand and let her go… <img alt=":)" class="wp-smiley" src="http://s0.wp.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif?m=1129645325g" /><br />she sat there smiling <img alt=":)" class="wp-smiley" src="http://s0.wp.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif?m=1129645325g" /><br />It felt so good <img alt=":)" class="wp-smiley" src="http://s0.wp.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif?m=1129645325g" /> <br /> <br /><b>14) Walk towards a bus stop. On the way , find someone sitting alone. Talk with them. Tell them something about you no one knows. Walk away.</b><br />While walking back home.. i was shivering with cold and happiness.. although i had failed to perform many tasks.. but still there was this feeling of relaxation and i felt carefree. I felt free.<br /> <br /><b>15) Walk alone. Keep walking in the direction of your home. Walk to the next bus stop. Walk slow. Smile. Walk slow. Enjoy the rain.</b><br />Already explained.<br /> <br /><b>16) Take the bus home. Occupy space. Assert presence. Think of where you want to sit. Sit or stand next to someone you find comforting. Talk about all the things you both love about Bangalore.</b><br />Everyone is in so much hurry. It is so sad that no one has the time to even pass a simple smile to make someone else happy. The freedom is so restricted and we have been brought up to be very aware and conscious of our surroundings which is good but is also one of the major reasons for fear inside of us<br /> <br /><b>17) What have you discovered about your city?</b><br />There is still a lot of growing up to do and a lot of effort has to be put in to be able to feel free again.<br /> <br /><b>18) What have you discovered about strangers?</b><br />Caught up in their monotonous existence and forgotten how to live.<br /> <br /><b>19) How would you rate your experience?<b></b><br />Disappointing</b><br /> <br /><hr /><br /><b>How are you feeling?</b><br />SURPRISED at how brave I really am <img alt=":P" class="wp-smiley" src="http://s2.wp.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif?m=1129645325g" /> <br /> <br /><b>What is your name?</b><br />Rhea Ahuja<br /> <br /><b>Where are you playing from?</b><br />Koramangala, Cubbon Park and Commercial Street<br /> <br /><b>Why did you choose this location?</b><br />Closer to my house; are areas that I haven’t explored yet<br /> <br /><b>Gender</b><br />female<br /> <br /><b>What is your age?</b><br />19<br /> <br /><b>1) Unfold your arms. Stand with feet apart on the ground. Take a deep breathe. Observe the place you are in. (Colours. Smell. People. Textures. Make a mental note)</b><br />Over-looking a two way. Traffic buzzing by, coffee shop behind. Some enjoying showing off their new bikes to their friends. Some holding hands and some trying to cross the road.<br /> <br /><b>2) Keep your chin raised. Make eye contact. Slowly walk up and down the place. Keep those arms swinging. Smile.</b><br />Most of the people I encountered smiled back. Mostly women<br /> <br /><b>3) Sit down. Lean back. Arch your back. Stretch your arms. What is the colour of the sky? What is the colour of your eyes ? Smile.</b><br />The sky was grey with a subtle blue tinge. My eyes are brown.<br /> <br /><b>4) Stand up. YAWN. Wide open yawn. 5 times. Stretch some more. Twist. Stretch. Yawn.</b><br />I do this on a regular basis <img alt=":P" class="wp-smiley" src="http://s2.wp.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif?m=1129645325g" /> was nothing new for me. Have a perpetual issue with my back. Some people look, but they never say anything.<br /> <br /><b>5) Walk left by 100 steps. Stop. Make eye contact with 3 different strangers. Smile. earn a smile back from all three.</b><br />I arrived at a supermarket. I smiled at the cashiers &amp; a mother and her child. It made me feel happy. I felt like I livened up the place.<br /> <br /><b>6) Walk left by 39 steps. Identify a stranger to talk to. You have fifteen minutes to talk with this person.</b><br />I walked 39 steps in the market itself. Came across a man trying to buy bread for his family. First time grocery shopper so I helped him out.<br /> <br /><b>7) Say out loud. ” I pledge to unlearn fear. To be visible. To occupy space. My City. Action Hero + your name” </b><br />It made me feel more confident about myself.<br /> <br /><b>8) Hungry? It’s time for lunch! Find a place to eat. Join a stranger over a meal. Find out what they love to eat the most. Tell them about your most favourite food. </b><br />KFC<br />Met a group of college students from Christ University. They were at forum to watch a movie, Thor. All girls so they didn’t mind me joining them.<br /> <br /><b>9) Exit 50 steps right from where you’re eating. Rub your tummy. Stop. LOL. laugh out loud.</b><br />It felt normal actually ! I stooped caring about what people’s reactions might be.<br /> <br /><b>10) Hum. Whistle. Sing your favourite song.</b><br />I did! I sang Sweet child of mine in a happy voice! Some people smiled back <img alt=":P" class="wp-smiley" src="http://s2.wp.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif?m=1129645325g" /> <br /> <br /><b>11) Fancy volunteering? Find someone working outside. Ask them if u can work w for 30 min. Don’t go to lonely shop in lane. Stay Outside</b><br />I helped out chocolate samplers since I’ve done this myself, in the past.<br /> <br /><b>12) Create an activity that would involve public participation. Could be cleaning. singing. story telling. 30 minutes</b><br />I interacted with a group of children. Talked to them about their favorite TV shows.<br /> <br /><b>13) Walk towards a bus stop. On the way , find someone sitting alone. Talk with them. Tell them something about you no one knows. Walk away.</b><br />I spoke to a lady in her 30s, a principal of a medical college. Got her card. Turns out her daughter was in my class in school!<br />I LOVED walking in the rain. I felt at peace.<br /> <br /><b>14) Take the bus home. Occupy space. Assert presence. Think of where you want to sit. Sit or stand next to someone you find comforting. Talk about all the things you both love about Bangalore.</b><br />I took an auto back home so I made conversation with him. He is a Christian, he used to work as a driver for a doctor who, unfortunately for him, had to leave the country. He loves the weather and so do I.<br /> <br /><b>15) What have you discovered about your city?</b><br />It’s very beautiful and quite safe!<br /> <br /><b>16) What have you discovered about yourself?</b><br />I can make people happy by getting them to see that strangers are people too.<br /> <br /><b>17) What have you discovered about strangers?</b><br />They aren’t as suspicious as you think<br /> <br /><b>18) How would you rate your experience?</b><br />adventurous<br /> <br /><hr /><br /><b>How are you feeling?</b><br />It was a ‘strange’ experience.<br /> <br /><b>What is your name?</b><br />Shivangi Gurjer<br /> <br /><b>Where are you playing from?</b><br />Ulsoor<br /> <br /><b> Why did you choose this location?</b><br />It was an unfamiliar location<br /> <br /><b>Gender</b><br />Female<br /> <br /><b>What is your age?</b><br />19<br /> <br /><b>1) Unfold your arms. Stand with feet apart on the ground. Take a deep breathe. Observe the place you are in. (Colours. Smell. People. Textures. Make a mental note)</b><br />It was a busy road since it was the main road. Not too many people walking there but a lot of cars. I wasn’t allowed to go inside the lake area since it opened only at 4. There was garbage dumped all around the lake and thats why, it was the most prominent smell. The footpath was rugged and broken at certain points.<br /> <br /><b>2) Keep your chin raised. Make eye contact. Slowly walk up and down the place. Keep those arms swinging. Smile.</b><br />It felt a little weird doing that to people who didn’t return the smile. Someone approached me and asked me if i wanted a flat for rent, random bikers rode past me and screamed out a ‘HI’<br /> <br /><b>3) Sit down. Lean back. Arch your back. Stretch your arms. What is the colour of the sky? What is the colour of your eyes ? Smile.</b><br />This was a relief considering the fact that i had been walking for so long. Passers by stared at me but didn’t think i was behaving in a weird manner so looked away after a while.<br /> <br /><b>4) Stand up. YAWN. Wide open yawn. 5 times. Stretch some more. Twist. Stretch. Yawn.</b><br />I got a look from one man but i didn’t worry too much since it was relaxing and felt nice. But of course i was a little conscious.<br /> <br /><b>5) Walk left by 100 steps. Stop. Make eye contact with 3 different strangers. Smile. earn a smile back from all three.</b><br />When I walked towards the left I arrived at Aga Abbas Ali road. I smiled at an old man, a working woman and a watchman. Yes, I did earn a smile from all three. Since i tried smiling at almost everybody.<br /> <br /><b>6) Walk left by 39 steps. Identify a stranger to talk to. You have fifteen minutes to talk with this person.</b><br />I saw an old man who i spoke to about his family. He said he lived close by and that his son would come and pick him up soon. I wished him and he was very happy and surprised that someone was friendly enough to go up to him and talk to him.<br /> <br /><b>7) Ask someone to take a photo of you where you are. Use ur mobile phone camera.</b><br />A random working woman<br /> <br /><b>8) Say out loud. “I pledge to unlearn fear. To be visible. To occupy space. My City. Action Hero + your name” </b><br />It felt like i was voicing out my right and on the whole it felt good, I felt more confident.<br /> <br /><b>9) Hungry? It’s time for lunch! Find a place to eat. Join a stranger over a meal. Find out what they love to eat the most. Tell them about your most favourite food. </b><br />I wasn’t able to do this and therefore went to a darshini and joined someone’s table. They smiled at me. It was a couple with their son. They didn’t seem too happy about me intruding and thats why i had to leave since it was awkward.<br /> <br /><b>10) Exit 50 steps right from where you’re eating. Rub your tummy. Stop. LOL. laugh out loud.</b><br />I reached another main road where i laughed and probably not loud enough since there were a lot of people around me.<br /> <br /><b>11) Hum. Whistle. Sing your favourite song.</b><br />I sang ‘Holy Grail’. I felt like an amateur excited singer who was too bored.<br /> <br /><b>12) ) Fancy volunteering? Find someone working outside. Ask them if u can work w for 30 min. Don’t go to lonely shop in lane. Stay Outside</b><br />A watchman was watering the plants and i asked him whether i could help him out. I guess he thought i would find it a fun activity.<br /> <br /><b>13) Create an activity that would involve public participation. Could be cleaning. singing. story telling. 30 minutes</b><br />I wasn’t able to perform this task.<br /> <br /><b>14) Walk towards a bus stop. On the way , find someone sitting alone. Talk with them. Tell them something about you no one knows. Walk away.</b><br />The bus stop was deserted and therefore i couldn’t really find someone that i could talk to.<br /> <br /><b>15) Walk alone. Keep walking in the direction of your home. Walk to the next bus stop. Walk slow. Smile. Walk slow. Enjoy the rain.</b><br />It was a nice experience, i started observing things around me and enjoyed the feeling of being carefree at that moment.<br /> <br /><b>16) Take the bus home. Occupy space. Assert presence. Think of where you want to sit. Sit or stand next to someone you find comforting. Talk about all the things you both love about Bangalore.</b><br />I ended up sitting next to a girl around my age. She seemed intimidating at first but she seemed quite nice when i started talking to her. I just asked her what she was reading and thats how i ‘broke the ice’. Normally its very hard for me to take the initiative to talk to someone, but this was surprisingly easy.<br /> <br /><b>17) What have you discovered about your city?</b><br />The city is not very noisy at this time of the day and people are more relaxed at this hour since they are on breaks or just getting back home at this time.<br /> <br /><b>18) What have you discovered about yourself?</b><br />I discovered that i can be an extrovert if i push myself to.<br /> <br /><b>19) What have you discovered about strangers?</b><br />I guess i’ve discovered that the people can be both welcoming and distant. Everybody is too rushed and have no time for themselves. At least to relax.<br /> <br /><b>20) How would you rate your experience?</b><br />open<br /> <br /><b>21) What does it mean to be an Action Hero?</b><br />It means taking the in initiative to do something and and carrying that forward.<br /> <br /><hr /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dGHDM04U9fY/Upr3NnZPE1I/AAAAAAAABv4/UbuprdXMtWA/s1600/ActionHeroRitika.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dGHDM04U9fY/Upr3NnZPE1I/AAAAAAAABv4/UbuprdXMtWA/s320/ActionHeroRitika.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><b>How are you feeling?</b><br />A lot more confident. I’m a very conscious person in general, so it was very difficult to let go off those inhibitions. I won’t say I did completely, but it was big deal for me that I was able to even slightly.<br /> <br /><b>Where are you playing from?</b><br />Shivajinagar, Bangalore<br /> <br /><b>Why did you choose this location?</b><br />Unfamiliar space, got lost once and panicked!<br /> <br /><b>Gender</b><br />female<br /> <br /><b>What is your age?</b><br />19<br /> <br /><b>1) Unfold your arms. Stand with feet apart on the ground. Take a deep breathe. Observe the place you are in. (Colours. Smell. People. Textures. Make a mental note)</b><br />Smell- A Breeze of Jasmine flowers, followed by a strong odour of pee.<br />People rushing everywhere, jumping onto buses, getting their day started, setting up their things on the footpath.<br />People selling anything to everything on the footpath- socks, apples, headphones, earrings.<br />Paintings on the walls, paan stains, splashes of dirt.<br /> <br /><b>2)Keep your chin raised. Make eye contact. Slowly walk up and down the place. Keep those arms swinging. Smile.</b><br />We had done this in and around class so it was a lot easier. At first I would look away from a person, and soon people started looking away when you made eye contact. But when you added the smile, the responses were better at times.<br /> <br /><b>3) Sit down. Lean back. Arch your back. Stretch your arms. What is the colour of the sky? What is the colour of your eyes? Smile.</b><br /> <br /><b>4) Stand up. YAWN. Wide open yawn. 5 times. Stretch some more. Twist. Stretch. Yawn.</b><br />I have never just sat down and done nothing in a crowded public space. I chose to sit on the stairs of an almost finished construction site(it was the only free space to be able to sit down).<br />What was the colour of the sky? A dark,and gloomy grey. After a while, I was quite calm. I watched people rush along and almost went into another dream world of mine, till of course the phone buzzed again.<br />Yawning wasn’t so difficult when the weather was that gloomy. But I ended up covering my mouth while doing it. I was still not comfortable yawning and stretching in the space.<br /> <br /><b>5) Walk left by 100 steps. Stop. Make eye contact with 3 different strangers. Smile. earn a smile back from all three.</b><br />Turning left got me to an even busier street. But there was more of an urban crowd in this area. I made eye contact and smiled at an old man who smiled back, slightly confused. A middle aged lady walked passed me, who I smiled at too. But she ended up giving me the dirtiest of looks so I turned away. A young guy passed me and I decided to smile at him too, but then his smile seemed to never end when he decided to continue smile even when he passed by turning around.<br /> <br /><b>6) Walk left by 39 steps. Identify a stranger to talk to. You have fifteen minutes to talk with this person.</b><br />I ended up being at the heart of commercial street, and spoke to a small jewellery shop owner about what all he sold, the trends passing around, why he was going to charge me so much for a pendant/<br /> <br /><b>7) Ask someone to take a photo of you where you are. Use ur mobile phone camera.</b><br />The jewelry vendor<br /> <br /><b>8) Say out loud. “I pledge to unlearn fear. To be visible. To occupy space. My City. Action Hero + your name” </b><br />It felt really good to say this. I saw a couple of people staring at me. One man stopped on his bike to listen to me, and gave me a thumbs up. I had written my own pledge for this game and carried it with me. So I asked someone to take a picture of me in the space holding my pledge.<br /> <br /><b>9) Hungry? It’s time for lunch! Find a place to eat. Join a stranger over a meal. Find out what they love to eat the most. Tell them about your most favourite food. </b><br />I wasn’t able to get someone to come join me for lunch. But I did have a very interesting conversation with the waiter. I asked him why he chose to work there(extra money after college), told him I had a day off from college too and was destressing. I was in a fast food joint, so I told him I liked their chicken very much, while he told me he preferred eating a traditional dosa compared to all the junk I was currently digesting.<br /> <br /><b>10) Exit 50 steps right from where you’re eating. Rub your tummy. Stop. LOL. laugh out loud.</b><br />I ended up being in a very very small, yet extremely busy lane. Again, I was so conscious of my actions. The laughing was more of a silent giggle. But everyone was too busy to notice me in the crowd.<br /> <br /><b>11) Hum. Whistle. Sing your favourite song.</b><br />I was humming Paradise by Coldplay. A few dirty looks, a shy, giggling little girl and another girl who unknowingly started humming the song alongside.<br /> <br /><b>12) Fancy volunteering? Find someone working outside. Ask them if u can work w for 30 min. Don’t go to lonely shop in lane. Stay Outside</b><br />I went back to the jewelry vendor and asked him if I could help out for a little while. I convinced a customer to buy a pair of earrings! We had a deal that I would pretend to be a customer and talk about how I really liked things. It was a lot of fun, and a lot less scarier than I expected!<br /> <br /><b>13) Create an activity that would involve public participation. Could be cleaning. singing. story telling. 30 minutes</b><br />This did not work very well. I came up with the idea of cleaning a part of the shivajinagar market. I got a few approvals, but everyone said later, we’ll lose customers.<br /> <br /><b>14) Walk towards a bus stop. On the way , find someone sitting alone. Talk with them. Tell them something about you no one knows. Walk away.</b><br />I didn’t manage to reach a bus stop, I got stranded in the rain, and it got pretty heavy for me to step out. So I took shelter on the stairs of The Imperial(restaurant). A couple of minutes later, a girl joined me in the crowd, who seemed to remind me of a friend of mine because of her distinct haircut. So I asked her where she got it.<br />And then told her that I had a very embarrassing little fringe when I was a kid( something I realised nobody really knew about me)<br /> <br /><b>15) Walk alone. Keep walking in the direction of your home. Walk to the next bus stop. Walk slow. Smile. Walk slow. Enjoy the rain.</b><br />It took me a while to get home, and that’s why this post is so late as I opened it only at 5:30.<br />The next bus stop from shivajinagar was firstly unknown to me. When I asked they said it was a long walk and didn’t make sense since I was already in one.<br />I’ve always loved walking, running and playing in the rain, but as usual, it doesn’t feel really nice after as I have a very very sore throat right now!<br /> <br /><b>16) Take the bus home. Occupy space. Assert presence. Think of where you want to sit. Sit or stand next to someone you find comforting. Talk about all the things you both love about Bangalore.</b><br />I started a conversation with a burkha clad woman sitting next to me. She had first offered to give me her seat as I was drenched and exhausted chasing the bus. I then got a seat next to her so she asked me where I was headed, opened up to me about her worrying parents and the rain and how it was going to be hard to get home.<br /> <br /><b>17) What have you discovered about your city?</b><br />It’s not as scary as people make of it, if you open upto it, you’ll find it to be a warmer, safer place. It’s the lack of understanding that creates problems.<br /> <br /><b>18) What have you discovered about yourself?</b><br />I don’t need to always be so conscious and aware, and “stuck up” while Im in an open area. It’s a lot easier when you let go.<br /> <br /><b>19) What have you discovered about strangers?</b><br />The “don’t talk to strangers” idea may not be the best thing to follow most of the times. Having some sense of familiarity with the people around you is definitely helpful, and makes your experience in the space more enriching and enjoyable.<br />Not every stranger is bad, and wants to harm you, after all we’re strangers to them as well!<br /> <br /><b>20) How would you rate your experience?</b><br />adventurous<br />A confidence boost, a motivator, in some sense a leader. It gives you an added sense of responsibility(in a good way)<br /> <br /><hr /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-smXaZYRKbK4/Upr4WXQTwRI/AAAAAAAABwE/ghhCQwNBv9g/s1600/ActionHeroSaumya2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-smXaZYRKbK4/Upr4WXQTwRI/AAAAAAAABwE/ghhCQwNBv9g/s320/ActionHeroSaumya2.png" width="209" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-neLivGMAigw/Upr4a84aruI/AAAAAAAABwM/qmB_vmjAkI8/s1600/ActionHeroPalak2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>&nbsp;</div><b>How are you feeling?</b><br />tired but glad that i played this game. i met some wonderful people who taught me to trust again. not everyone is out there to harm you.<br /> <br /><b>What is your name?</b><br />saumya pankaj<br /> <br /><b>Where are you playing from?</b><br />bangalore<br /> <br /><b>Why did you choose this location?</b><br />CBI, bangalore, india<br /> <br /><b>Gender</b><br />female<br /> <br /><b>What is your age?</b><br />19<br /> <br /><b>1) Unfold your arms. Stand with feet apart on the ground. Take a deep breathe. Observe the place you are in. ( Colours. Smell. People. Textures. Make a mental note)</b><br />i landed in the middle of somewhere in CBI. i was lost in the beginning, but i focused all my thoughts and feelings, into what i smelt and heard around me as i stood near an ICICI ATM. there was a lot of crowd around, buses, cars, two wheelers. i smelt wet mud ,there was a little garden one of the houses where they’d given water to the plants. there was sawdust due to the wood cutting units, it was beautiful in terms of the weather, and i smelt happiness from within when i walked with a smile.<br /> <br /><b>2) Keep your chin raised. Make eye contact. Slowly walk up and down the place. Keep those arms swinging. Smile.</b><br />before this i was still nervous and was consideration going to a more familiar place. there were a lot of mechanic workshops, wood cutting units, i was a little conscious walking and attracting gaze. ut when i started to swing my hands while walking, i dropped all inhibitions and motivated myself to enjoy the day. people were amused and looked at me as though asking me what made me this happy. and that mystery that i created made me feel amazing, and powerful.<br /> <br /><b>3) Sit down. Lean back. Arch your back. Stretch your arms. What is the colour of the sky? What is the colour of your eyes ? Smile.</b><br />i walked into a few lanes and circled backed to explore the place and what it had to offer.i stopped near the canara atm and sat on the steps next to a queue of people waiting to withdraw money. i looked at people who passed by, continued the eye contact, smiled at them. i looked up, the sky looked grey. i could feel my watery eyes being inked by that whitish bluish grey as i blinked and opened my eyes again. with the cool breeze, it felt beautiful.<br /> <br /><b>4) Stand up. YAWN. Wide open yawn. 5 times. Stretch some more. Twist. Stretch. Yawn.</b><br />after a few minutes i got up and yawned and stretched swinging my body first to the right then to the left and back. it was quite genuine because my back was in a mess.also, i’d only heard that yawns were contagious, i saw it today, when after me two other people started yawning too. while everyone else looked at me thinking how i could be so casual and random to stretch in front of everybody like this. i yawn a couple of more times as i walked ahead.<br /> <br /><b>5) Walk left by 100 steps. Stop. Make eye contact with 3 different strangers. Smile. earn a smile back from all three.</b><br />walking left made me a little nervous. it was an empty lane with only drivers and guards. but as i walked ahead, not being judgmental, i smile at a guard, it took a while of continued eye contact, but he smiled back in a very thankful way like he appreciated me greeting him. then i smiled at two boys from high school, they were a little taken aback and couldn’t understand if the smile was for them, but they smiled back and whispered among themselves. another woman with her baby, was trying to manage the kid on a bike, when i remembered how my mom did that with me, and i smiled bright, she gave me a gentle smile that said, you know it don’t you. or atleast that’s how i felt. also an uncle walking past me, i was trying to eat an orange when i accidentally tasted the peel and made a wacky face, he gave me a little ‘haha’ there. this was one of my favorite tasks.<br /> <br /><b>6) Walk left by 39 steps. Identify a stranger to talk to. You have fifteen minutes to talk with this person.</b><br />i came across a khadi shop, taken care by ravi and bhojraj. they told me a little about their shop, and what cloth came from where and how i could help them if i was okay with it. we both were excited, he gave me his number if i needed any help ever when i was near.<br /> <br /><b>7) Ask someone to take a photo of you where you are. Use ur mobile phone camera.</b><br />i came across a girl, seemed elder to me, looking for an atm. by then i’d taken enough rounds to know of 5 ATM s, i offered to take her to one. while walking she told me she’d come from a root canal surgery and her mouth was numb, she needed to have an ice cream. so we looked for an ice cream place together and talked about cooking. she had just started cooking mostly because of the appreciation she got in return and then i told her how hopeless i am at cooking. we talked more, then went to an ATM. she wanted a picture. i got excited and i posed. she was keen on moving away from a group of boys who made us feel uncomfortable, i asked her to just smile and pose, and asked one those boys to take a photo for us. he took it and smile, we smiled back and said bye. sarita and i exchanged numbers, in case we were close to each other’s places.<br /> <br /><b>8) Say out loud. “I pledge to unlearn fear. To be visible. To occupy space. My City. Action Hero + your name” </b><br />this was were it got tougher. i did this thrice because the first time i did it, i wasn’t loud it was quite soft. second time only a few people were around. so third time i went into a shop where there were atleast seven people (komal dress material) and said it aloud. komal aunty was quite happy, not what i was expecting.<br />Komal aunty seemed like a confident lady who wont listen to any nonsence from anybody or be suppressed. i talked to her about her newly born grand daughter and asked me to help select a frock for the tiny new born out of her own collection.<br /> <br /><b>9) Exit 50 steps right from where you’re eating. Rub your tummy. Stop. LOL. laugh out loud.</b><br />when i rubbed my tummy and giggled, i saw a child staring at me. then i made funny faces and he laughed. an uncle looked at me too, i smiled back. it felt at home.<br />this is one thing i did anyway along the walk. people far away thought i was talking to myself and when they came closer, they pretended not to hear, except one lady who gave me a sheepish smile.<br /> <br /><b>10) Fancy volunteering? Find someone working outside. Ask them if u can work w for 30 min. Don’t go to lonely shop in lane. Stay Outside</b><br />it had started raining by then. i helped three vendors put sheets on their thelas, or uncovered stalls. one of them smiled, one felt guilty and the lady said something in Tamil, that i took as a thank you.<br />i t started raining more, and it got cold, so i found a way back to komal aunty’s shop. her husand welcomed me in a ‘long time no see’ way, we laughed. i helped asma, their employee folr all the garments and put them back. she taught me how to fold clothes ‘properly’.<br /> <br /><b>11) Create an activity that would involve public participation. Could be cleaning. singing. story telling. 30 minutes</b><br />while we sat with asma, komal aunty and dawud uncle i tried talking about their hobbies. uncle like to dance and asma lik songs. i started singing ‘ude’ from zindagi na milegi dobara, and gave beats on the counter. komal aunty laughed and later clicked her fingers for support. uncle gestured to danc and asma hummed a long a little.<br /> <br />i thought of an incident where i accidentally broke my mom’s lipstick while trying it on in 1st grade and she thought my younger cousin did it. so, i planned to confess this to a stranger at the bus stop. i gathered courage, decided which one to say it to, after 7 long minutes i looked to the lady with frizzy hair on my right and blabbered, “i was the who broke my mom’s pink lipstick’ with my hand on my chest, as though feeling guilty. she said a very concerned,” sorry what?”. i said, “i was the who broke my mom’s pink lipstick”, emphasis on the eye. before she could even registered i walked off like an alien creature. i wanted to laugh out loud, and so i did. i knew, only when two three people stared in a ‘what’s-the-matter-with-you?!’ way.<br /> <br />i kept walking, went through an under bridge feeling a little scared, but it was all good. swinging arms and smile on my face, day went great. i couldn’t stop thinking of what all i’d done earlier in the day!<br /> <br />talked to a lady who belonged to mysore. she found it better there, because that’s where her family stays.<br /> <br /><b>15) What have you discovered about your city?</b><br />it’s MY city after all. today i saw its fun side. it is to an extent protective of me. i’m confident of who i am. i went in a sleeveless shirt today, a top that has remained untouched for a while. but today it did me no harm. i was comfortable after quite long.<br /> <br /><b>16) What have you discovered about yourself?</b><br />i can be a lot happier and less tied up in how i’m looking, or constantly looking around if anyone’s following. alertness is one thing and being constantly under scrutiny is another. although it does get spoiled dew to a few, but majority is what you’ve to think about. positivity is of utmost importance, what you have and what you offer others.<br />not being too in love with myself, i do accept the fact that i achieved quite a lot today. i’m a very shy person and do not open up easily unless i’m with my closest friends. today i went all out to deserve a 5 as per how i am usually, except for the task where i had to make up a group activity involving people. the idea was not to be in our comfort zones. and i became quite comfortable with komal aunty and dawud uncle. i loved them and the way they treated me. they let me work after 4 rejections by others. they were quite a support today.<br /> <br /><b>17) What have you discovered about strangers?</b><br />not all strangers are out there to harm you.<br />being alert helps and being positive helps you more. the boundaries that we draw for the negative should prevent friends from coming in too.<br /> <br /><b>18) How would you rate your experience?</b><br />thrilling<br /> <br /><b>19) What does it mean to be an Action Hero?<b></b><br />it feels like being a part of something a majority believes and is willing to take forward. it represents a sense of belief and trust that we share with each otheri thin as ONE.</b><br /> <br /><hr /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KZnLg91SSqM/Upr4lsUApQI/AAAAAAAABwU/6Nuwz0mPbNY/s1600/ActionHeroFiza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KZnLg91SSqM/Upr4lsUApQI/AAAAAAAABwU/6Nuwz0mPbNY/s320/ActionHeroFiza.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><b>How are you feeling?<b></b><br />I feel very happy that I got to a) spend some time alone. b) explore a part of Yelahanka that I hadn’t before.</b><br /> <br /><b>What is your name?</b><br />Fiza Jha<br /> <br /><b>Where are you playing from?</b><br />Back end of Dairy Cross Market, Yelahanka New Town, Bangalore<br /> <br /><b>Why did you choose this location?</b><br />My love for markets, and not having been able to explore this one right where I live<br /> <br /><b>Gender</b><br />Female<br /> <br /><b>What is your age?</b><br />19<br /> <br /><b>1) Unfold your arms. Stand with feet apart on the ground. Take a deep breathe. Observe the place you are in. (Colours. Smell. People. Textures. Make a mental note)</b><br />Two huge Banyan Trees. Coconut stand. Kannada Newspapers and Magazines. A lot of old men sitting together, talking (presumably about town affairs) in Kannada. Women sitting together and stringing flowers together, chatting. Over cast sky, cool breeze. Cool breeze always seems like clean, fresh breeze, taking away with it overindulgent smells and the lethargy and mundaneness of a work day. Cobbler, shoes. Buses.<br />Everything you’d want an Indian market. Busy, but with lots of character.<br /> <br /><b>2) Keep your chin raised. Make eye contact. Slowly walk up and down the place. Keep those arms swinging. Smile.</b><br />Instead of feeling ‘alone and vulnerable’, I actually felt really comfortable walking across the market roads. I felt like the ‘busy-ness’ kept me company, lots of people, lots of action around, I was engaged, I didn’t feel bored. I didn’t speak, or had no one to speak to, but a lot was happening around me. It was an unspoken yet dynamic conversation with the space I was in. So I wasn’t really thinking about me as an individual in the space, or if something could happen to me or if someone looking at me. I was trying to blend into the spaces, be a part of them, without trying consciously and physically ‘hide’. I walked around in unknown lanes, not stopping to think where or how or if I should go or not even once.<br /> <br /><b>3) Sit down. Lean back. Arch your back. Stretch your arms. What is the colour of the sky? What is the colour of your eyes ? Smile.</b><br />Blue. Brown.<br />Despite the Sunday morning, I felt pretty active and ready to walk around.<br /> <br /><b>4) Stand up. YAWN. Wide open yawn. 5 times. Stretch some more. Twist. Stretch. Yawn.</b><br />I felt comfortable, and sitting at the bus-stop for an hour made me feel a familiarity which finally translated to comfortability.<br /> <br /><b>5) Walk left by 100 steps. Stop. Make eye contact with 3 different strangers. Smile. earn a smile back from all three.</b><br />I walked into a less fancy and commercial side of the market which had lots of small shops and small houses, almost like a village. I had never been to this part before and I knew I stuck out like a sore thumb so I gave passerbys a smile, it wasn’t returned by most because I think they were busy and also a bit confused as why I was there but that’s alright. I made eye contact and smiled with almost 7 people.<br /> <br /><b>6) Walk left by 39 steps. Identify a stranger to talk to. You have fifteen minutes to talk with this person.</b><br />In the same lane mentioned above, I entered a tiny tailor shop where only one tailor sat. I asked him if he stitched blouses, and how much for. I then asked him the timings to which he gave me lots of details, and he couldn’t speak good hindi so a lot of sign language and nodding was at play in the conversation. Then I thanked him and left.<br /> <br /><b>7) Ask someone to take a photo of you where you are. Use ur mobile phone camera.</b><br />Funny at first, but nice all the same. I had walked way up ahead and reached some lake I didn’t know existed behind a residential colony where not too many people were visible. But the lake was beautiful and I was so excited, I kept walking even though I was beginning a lose a sense of where I had started and where I was going.<br /> <br /><b>9) Hungry? It’s time for lunch! Find a place to eat. Join a stranger over a meal. Find out what they love to eat the most. Tell them about your most favourite food. </b><br />I ate at Kanti Sweets. I did not eat with anyone because there was only one table with people and they were a family with all the seats occupied and I didn’t wish to disturb them so I sat alone. But I sat on the table outside, at some <i>pav bhaji</i> and looked at the street. I could see kids crossing the road, and one man who stopped ahead of my table in a teal-colored Bajaj Priya which stopped working. He kept pushing and pulling the parts around to make it work for a little bit and it kept making rusty sounds. Finally, he gave up and just pushed it. That kept me entertained.<br /> <br /><b>10) Exit 50 steps right from where you’re eating. Rub your tummy. Stop. LOL. laugh out loud.</b><br />I arrived back on the main road of the market, towards Aroma Bakery. I did, it was amusing.<br /> <br /><b>11) Hum. Whistle. Sing your favourite song.</b><br />I didn’t sing my favorite song, but I sang the song which has been stuck in my head for the past couple of days, which turned out to be apt -’Scream and shout’ by Black Eyed Peas. [It goes a bit like this, 'I wanna scream and shout and let it all out]<br /> <br /><b>12) Fancy volunteering? Find someone working outside. Ask them if u can work w for 30 min. Don’t go to lonely shop in lane. Stay Outside</b><br />I went to a lady selling fruits right across Kanti Sweets and asked her I could help her arrange her fruits. I was there for about twenty minutes arranging the oranges, and trying up the banana bunches. And then I bought a few apples and went along.<br /> <br /><b>13) Create an activity that would involve public participation. Could be cleaning. singing. story telling. 30 minutes</b><br />I went back to the bus stop to sit and think about this. While I was sitting at the bus stop, a baby was sitting beside me and clapping to his mother. I joined him, and along the way made a clap pattern which he tried to follow. Then on, when I new person would come to sit beside me, I’d start the clap sequence and smile at them to follow. Some followed, some glared. I did it softly, and smilingly in any case. And stopped if I felt I was disturbing anyone.<br /> <br /><b>14) Walk towards a bus stop. On the way , find someone sitting alone. Talk with them. Tell them something about you no one knows. Walk away.</b><br />I was already at the bus stop. I talked to a young woman. She was a girl studying to be a nurse at Miranda nursing home, which is right down n3 campus. So I told her I studied right there at Srishti.<br />I couldn’t think of anything to say to her which noone knows and while I was thinking her bus came, so she left.<br /> <br /><b>15) Walk alone. Keep walking in the direction of your home. Walk to the next bus stop. Walk slow. Smile. Walk slow. Enjoy the rain.</b><br />Cold, yet refreshed. Surprisingly not tired.<br /> <br /><b>16) Take the bus home. Occupy space. Assert presence. Think of where you want to sit. Sit or stand next to someone you find comforting. Talk about all the things you both love about Bangalore.</b><br />I was sitting with some women and they could only converse in Kannada.<br /> <br /><b>17) What have you discovered about your city?</b><br />It’s diverse, and complex and vibrant. And I can actually walk around and appreciate it’s beautiy! So I like it even more.<br /> <br /><b>18) What have you discovered about yourself?</b><br />I CAN spend time alone by myself, contrary to what I feel otherwise. And spending time out in the open, in the city, as opposed to while sitting alone in my room, I can be at peace with things.<br /> <br /><b>19) What have you discovered about strangers?</b><br />I’ve realized that everyone leads different lives, everyone is busy trying to get past the day doing what they’re supposed to do. And this day, where I sat and observed people at their work places, forced me to gain some perspective on the fact that there are different kinds of people (other than the kind I know or interact with) and there is more to my neighborhood than just the fact that me and my college-mates studying and living there. It’s a self-sustaining world in itself, one outside the bubble I live in.<br /> <br /><b>20) How would you rate your experience?</b><br />exciting<br /> <br /><b>21) What does it mean to be an Action Hero?</b><br />I’m still trying to figure it out.<br /> <br /><hr /><br /><b>How are you feeling?</b><br />Extremely Uncomfortable.<br /> <br /><b>What is your name?</b><br />Sachi Raval<br /> <br /><b>Where are you playing from?</b><br />Frazer Town<br /> <br /><b>Why did you choose this location?</b><br />Wanted to explore<br /> <br /><b>Gender</b><br />female<br /> <br /><b>What is your age?</b><br />20<br /> <br /><b>1) Unfold your arms. Stand with feet apart on the ground. Take a deep breathe. Observe the place you are in. (Colours. Smell. People. Textures. Make a mental note)</b><br />Quite a crowded area. I randomly got off at frazer town without knowing where I was. Turns out there was a bar and mutton stall exactly where I got down. That lane was infested with men. As time passed, more and more people started to notice my presence and that made me walk longer distances and walk on different roads. It was cold but I forgot about my freezing hands and nose when i was walking. I was too alert and conscious to think about anything at that moment. There were quite a few bakeries (worst nightmare for a girl). Many labourers sitting and enjoying their tea break. Barely any women and if any they were a few college girls and a group of school girls. Quite scary<br /> <br /><b>2) Keep your chin raised. Make eye contact. Slowly walk up and down the place. Keep those arms swinging. Smile.</b><br />When I read the 2nd task, in my mind I was like ‘I’m definitely not smiling.’ I did make eye contact and found it a little challenging. I realised after a point I was consciously making eye contact only with people I thought were decent. The more eye contact I made I felt like I was inviting more trouble. I was struggling to make eye contact. I felt relieved when my phone vibrated and I received the next task only to realize the next task was 10 times harder.<br /> <br /><b>3) Sit down. Lean back. Arch your back. Stretch your arms. What is the colour of the sky? What is the colour of your eyes ? Smile.</b><br />I found a place to sit with great difficulty. Yawned. but couldn’t do anything more than that. I was trying my best to convince myself to smile. Just couldn’t.<br /> <br /><b>4) Stand up. YAWN. Wide open yawn. 5 times. Stretch some more. Twist. Stretch. Yawn.</b><br />Could not do anything beyond yawning. I just could not get myself to stretch and twist. I was too conscious and stiff.<br /> <br /><b>5) Walk left by 100 steps. Stop. Make eye contact with 3 different strangers. Smile. earn a smile back from all three.</b><br />Finally a task which seemed doable. So I walked about 100 steps and there I saw a security guard. An old decent looking man to my good luck. I looked at him it took me 3 seconds to break into a smile and 6 seconds for him to smile back. Funny <img alt=":)" class="wp-smiley" src="http://s0.wp.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif?m=1129645325g" /> He was definitely not expecting this. I hope I mad a tad bit difference in his monotonous life. There was another security guard a few steps ahead after I chose to skip 2 men. He smiled back too <img alt=":)" class="wp-smiley" src="http://s0.wp.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif?m=1129645325g" /> He had been looking at me from the time I smiled at the 1st security guard so he did not seem that surprised. The third person I chose to smile at was a bunch of school girls who not only smiled back but waved as the passed by <img alt=":)" class="wp-smiley" src="http://s0.wp.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif?m=1129645325g" /> <br /> <br /><b>6) Walk left by 39 steps. Identify a stranger to talk to. You have fifteen minutes to talk with this person.</b><br />I arrived at a bus stop luckily so I had an excuse to start a conversation. I ended up talking to an old lady. I started off the conversation by asking her which bus goes to yelahanka and I spoke in Kannada which was enough to start a convesation <img alt=":P" class="wp-smiley" src="http://s2.wp.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif?m=1129645325g" /> we spoke for about 5 mins. She asked me where I was from what I studied and why I wore the flower in my hair.<br /> <br /><b>7) Ask someone to take a photo of you where you are. Use ur mobile phone camera.</b><br />A random man standing in an apartment<br /> <br /><b>8) Say out loud. ” I pledge to unlearn fear. To be visible. To occupy space. My City. Action Hero + your name” </b><br />I felt free. I felt confident. I felt stronger and less violated. I felt GREAT!<br /> <br /><b>9) Hungry? It’s time for lunch! Find a place to eat. Join a stranger over a meal. Find out what they love to eat the most. Tell them about your most favourite food. </b><br />I ate idli chutney with an old couple. Idli chutney is most definitely my favourite dish and the couple liked any rice item.<br /> <br /><b>10) Exit 50 steps right from where you’re eating. Rub your tummy. Stop. LOL. laugh out loud.</b><br />I could not LOL.<br /> <br /><b>11) Hum. Whistle. Sing your favourite song.</b><br />I kind of hummed ‘Are you gonna be my girl’ by jet.<br /> <br /><b>12) Fancy volunteering? Find someone working outside. Ask them if u can work w for 30 min. Don’t go to lonely shop in lane. Stay Outside</b><br />Could not do this task.<br /> <br /><b>13) Create an activity that would involve public participation. Could be cleaning. singing. story telling. 30 minutes</b><br />Could not do this task.<br /> <br /><b>14) Walk towards a bus stop. On the way , find someone sitting alone. Talk with them. Tell them something about you no one knows. Walk away.</b><br />Could not do this task.<br /> <br /><b>15) Walk alone. Keep walking in the direction of your home. Walk to the next bus stop. Walk slow. Smile. Walk slow. Enjoy the rain.</b><br />For some strange reason I just cannot get myself to smile in public when i’m alone. But I definitely did enjoy the cold, the slow walk and the rain. I felt a sense of freedom and felt very independent.<br /> <br /><b>16) Take the bus home. Occupy space. Assert presence. Think of where you want to sit. Sit or stand next to someone you find comforting. Talk about all the things you both love about Bangalore.</b><br />I sat next to a married lady, in her mid 30′s maybe. She looked like she was from a decent family as she was wearing a mangal sutra and sindhoor and was dressed neatly with her duppatta in place. She had newly moved to B’lore so she did not seem to be very found of the city but she like how the tempreture is always moderate.<br /> <br /><b>17) What have you discovered about your city?</b><br />I feel like I am looking at B’lore from a new perspective.<br /> <br /><b>18) What have you discovered about yourself?</b><br />I always believed I was an extrovert and that I could easily start a conversation with anyone. This was like a reality check. I realised I’m the biggest extrovert and find it extremely challenging to be thrown out of my comfort zone. I can be overly suspicious at times and need to give people around me a chance. I need to learn to walk on the road with an open mind.<br /> <br /><b>How would you rate your experience?</b><br />willing and closed<br /> <br /><b>What does it mean to be an Action Hero?</b><br />It take A LOT to be an Action Hero. A LOT. I’m going to have to push myself real hard if I want to be an Action Hero. If It takes 10 levels to be one, I am currently at minus -5!<br /> <br /><hr /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xsocBKYIk_4/Upr5cuFYSOI/AAAAAAAABws/O8JqBaJozQM/s1600/ActionHeroMuniza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xsocBKYIk_4/Upr5cuFYSOI/AAAAAAAABws/O8JqBaJozQM/s320/ActionHeroMuniza.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>How are you feeling?</b><br />i’m feeling satisfied, happy and very different.<br /> <br /><b>Where are you playing from?</b><br />yelahanka old town, bangalore<br /> <br /><b>Why did you choose this location?</b><br />i’ve never been to this place before and also its very crowded and i kind of dislike crowded places. so it was a challenge for me.<br /> <br /><b>Gender</b><br />female<br /> <br /><b>What is your age?</b><br />19<br /> <br /><b>1) Unfold your arms. Stand with feet apart on the ground. Take a deep breathe. Observe the place you are in. (Colours. Smell. People. Textures. Make a mental note)</b><br />unfolding my arms and standing with feet apart kind of relaxed me. i started observing people, they varied from 5 year school going boy to an 60 year old lady.flower lady, colorful petals, different smells, cobbler, variety of shoes, middle aged woman on the phone, college girls, ambulance, casualty ward, medical shops, apple vendor, smell of apples, light red shiny apples. traffic lights, red light, white cars, colorful garments, grey roads.<br /> <br /><b>2)Keep your chin raised. Make eye contact. Slowly walk up and down the place. Keep those arms swinging. Smile.</b><br />okay! So as soon as I read this task I opposed it, because I used to think smiling at people will freak them out. But as i started walking down the street with my chin held high, I kind of gained confidence from nowhere. I started smiling at people, random people. I thought they were not smiling back at me but I felt it was my duty to pass on the smile. Walking, and making eye contact was in itself a very different experience; earlier when I saw someone staring instead of making eye contact, I used to turn my face, but today I made eye contact, and after few seconds people turned their faces and I no more felt uncomfortable in making eye contacts.<br /> <br /><b>3) Sit down. Lean back. Arch your back. Stretch your arms. What is the colour of the sky? What is the colour of your eyes ? Smile.</b><br />This was kind of very uncomfortable, I was in yelahanka old town and there was no place to sit! i stood there for 10 mins figuring out a way how to go about it, i tried finding a place to sit but it was all vain. Then out of nowhere I decided to sit then and there only on the sidewalk. I kind of ignored the thought that what people will think about, but I just sat there relaxed looking at the cloudy grey sky of bangalore.<br /> <br /><b>4) Stand up. YAWN. Wide open yawn. 5 times. Stretch some more. Twist. Stretch. Yawn.</b><br />This was the easiest task i guess!! I kept on yawing and yawning and enjoyed it a lot. For the first few minutes the yawning was intentional but then it started happening on its own.<br />I stretched, I twisted, I feel comfortable: I feel I belong here, to this place.<br /> <br /><b>5) Walk left by 100 steps. Stop. Make eye contact with 3 different strangers. Smile. earn a smile back from all three.</b><br />When I first read this I thought I was pretty easy task. but first of all after taking 100 steps i landed up in place which was not at all crowded, i now have to look for people to make eye contact with. i tried and tried and not even a single person responded to my smile, it went for i guess 20 mins and i earned nothing till then. then a miracle happened, i was just casually looking at this guy who was sitting on the back seat of the bike, he was also looking at me, and then i smiled and whoohoo!!!! he smiled back too! i earned it!!! that was the moment of genuine happiness.then after a while lady crossing the road and coming toward me made i eye contact and smiled back. then the time was up and i had to move to another task, but a lady came with her child and she smiled back at me. so this was how i was successful in earning my all the three smiles. Felt satisfied for completing the task and genuinely happy.<br /> <br /><b>6) Walk left by 39 steps. Identify a stranger to talk to. You have fifteen minutes to talk with this person.</b><br />Walking 39 steps, i found a lady standing outside an home appliance shop. she was leaning against a bike holding a helmet in her hands. so i started the conversation by introducing myself as a student staying in old town, who is new in town. i asked her for any good places to eat. and the conversation went on. it went on and she started telling me about her favorite eating joints nearby and where their family usually go for dinners.<br /> <br /><b>7) Ask someone to take a photo of you where you are. Use ur mobile phone camera.</b><br />First i tried asking one middle aged man but he just ignored and went, now i assume he was not knowing hindi. but then i approached two girls of 20-25 years old, they too did not know english or hindi, i somehow manged to ask them to click my picture so one of them clicked the picture and the other one came along with me in the frame. then they left. i dont know what struck their mind they returned and started talking to me about the photo in kannada, then we called a girl who translated it and they were just clarifying that for what purpose is this photo being taken.<br /> <br /><b>8) Say out loud. “I pledge to unlearn fear. To be visible. To occupy space. My City. Action Hero + your name” </b><br />I started saying it too low, but then yes was not too loud but yeah, i felt great! i felt that i’m the hero and its my duty to protect people of my city.<br /> <br /><b>9) Hungry? It’s time for lunch! Find a place to eat. Join a stranger over a meal. Find out what they love to eat the most. Tell them about your most favourite food. </b><br />I ate with the an elderly working lady, it was in pizza corner yelahanka. she told me she dont like talking while and want to have her lunch in peace. so did not have much of a conversation but yeah managed to talk about her favorite food which is roasted chicken. even i’m a huge fan of roasted chicken so we had a little conversation that. she left because she was getting late an kept on waiting for another 15 mins because the cashier went out of change<br /> <br /><b>10) Exit 50 steps right from where you’re eating. Rub your tummy. Stop. LOL. laugh out loud.</b><br />I arrived on crossing which was very crowded. tried doing a lol but end up smiling. was feeling too uncomfortable with the people around<br /> <br /><b>11) Hum. Whistle. Sing your favourite song.</b><br />My favourite song is “love somebody” by maroon 5, though i like wistling and humming this song. sometimes i do this too loud and sometimes softly . so frankly speaking i did not feel anything different. but whenever i sing on the road or at any public space i tend to forget the world around me and indugle in my own toughts and with the lyrics of the song.<br /> <br /><b>12) Fancy volunteering? Find someone working outside. Ask them if u can work w for 30 min. Don’t go to lonely shop in lane. Stay Outside</b><br />I approached a girl sitting on a chair selling vodafone sim cards. I asked her to volunteer but as it was lunch time she refused. then i went in a tea stall and asked the ower for any volunteering, he asked me how much money i wanted, I said I wanted to work for free. he agreed and let me make tea in his stall.but as it was raining and the stall was having no shade so had to pack all the stuff in 15 mins.<br />I discover the lack of trust among the people, people were not willing to give any sort of responsibility to the stranger.<br /> <br /><b>13) Create an activity that would involve public participation. Could be cleaning. singing. story telling. 30 minutes</b><br />It started raining heavily and i was standing in a shade where nobody was there, also the language barrier was a huge problem so i was not able to get through this task<br /> <br /><b>14) Walk towards a bus stop. On the way , find someone sitting alone. Talk with them. Tell them something about you no one knows. Walk away.</b><br />I met a man, middle aged who was an employee in a super market and was cleaning the baskets. I told him that though I act as if I’m emotionally very strong but last night i cried reading a teenage love story. I feel good and light. sharing a thing like this with any stranger only portray yourself as vulnerable in front of them and they feel that they should do the same in return<br /> <br /><b>15) Walk alone. Keep walking in the direction of your home. Walk to the next bus stop. Walk slow. Smile. Walk slow. Enjoy the rain.</b><br />I always loved rain, and specially Bangalore rains. Bangalore rains are so unpredictable so i never miss a chance getting wet in this. though getting wet and rain today was nothing new, but the satisfaction and happiness after completing the task was something combined with rain was giving me a pleasure I’ve never felt before. as i was walking on the road even though nobody was there i was having a constant smile of content on my face.<br /> <br /><b>16) Take the bus home. Occupy space. Assert presence. Think of where you want to sit. Sit or stand next to someone you find comforting. Talk about all the things you both love about Bangalore.</b><br />She was a girl from sheshedripuram college. we both were sitting on front seat of the bus. she was a localite and we both talked about how lovely Bangalore rains are and how unpredictable Bangalore weather is. the greenery is so appealing ad tress all around unlike other metro cities.<br /> <br /><b>17) What have you discovered about your city?</b><br />People are helpful and caring, if you are willing to come out of your comfort zone they will do the same.<br /> <br /><b>18) What have you discovered about yourself?</b><br />Approaching stranger and getting to know people is not that tough task all you need is a will and few interesting topic. making eye contacts no longer bother me and i can walk freely on streets now.<br /> <br /><b>19) What have you discovered about strangers?</b><br />stranger is no more a stranger when you know the topics which interests him/her. once i’m done figuring out the interest of a particular they go on telling stuff about them and they open up.<br /> <br /><b>20) How would you rate your experience?</b><br />adventurous<br /> <br /><hr /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FX5PJE4IbpM/Upr5SFkyjwI/AAAAAAAABwk/7Kw5tUxDstQ/s1600/ActionHeroRadhika.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FX5PJE4IbpM/Upr5SFkyjwI/AAAAAAAABwk/7Kw5tUxDstQ/s320/ActionHeroRadhika.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>How are you feeling?</b><br />I feel like I can talk to anybody without fear and hesitation now, I wish I’d done something like this when i was younger.<br /> <br /><b>What is your name?</b><br />Radhika Kolgaonkar<br /> <br /><b>Where are you playing from?</b><br />Cubbon Park, Bangalore, Karnataka<br /> <br /><b>Why did you choose this location?</b><br />I wanted to approach people in a place where they would be comfortable having a conversation<br /> <br /><b>Gender</b><br />female<br /> <br /><b>What is your age?</b><br />18<br /> <br /><b>Unfold your arms. Stand with feet apart on the ground. Take a deep breathe. Observe the place you are in. (Colours. Smell. People. Textures. Make a mental note)</b><br /> <br /><b>2)Keep your chin raised. Make eye contact. Slowly walk up and down the place. Keep those arms swinging. Smile.</b><br />After a long bus ride, I was a bit tense. Since the location that I chose is a serene public park, taking it all in was a very pleasant experience. People were engaged in a range of activities from boxing to simply being strolling and most of them were just idle.<br />I was busy capturing the place with my camera so this was a good break from that.<br /> <br /><b>3) Sit down. Lean back. Arch your back. Stretch your arms. What is the colour of the sky? What is the colour of your eyes ? Smile.</b><br />The sky was grayish blue in colour . My eyes are dark brown. Stretching helped especially because the ride was long.<br /> <br /><b>4) Stand up. YAWN. Wide open yawn. 5 times. Stretch some more. Twist. Stretch. Yawn.</b><br />Stretching helped especially because the ride was long.<br /> <br /><b>5) Walk left by 100 steps. Stop. Make eye contact with 3 different strangers. Smile. earn a smile back from all three.</b><br />I found myself amidst bamboo that had grown past their senesce. I encountered a Firang couple who warmly smiled at me. They were followed by a skinny Kannadiga who was yapping away on his phone but took a 3-second break to check me out and then he smiled back.<br /> <br /><b>6) Walk left by 39 steps. Identify a stranger to talk to. You have fifteen minutes to talk with this person.</b><br />I arrived at a fairly plain terrain and sat on a bench that was surrounded by 4-5 benches within 50 metres. I noticed a young boy staring at me and then I decided to approach him and he actually turned out to be a nice fellow who was waiting in the park for his best friend and his best friend’s girlfriend. His name’s Sayyad and he’s a Commerce student from Lalbagh. He stays close to Yelahanka and he like the weather.<br /> <br /><b>8) Say out loud. ” I pledge to unlearn fear. To be visible. To occupy space. My City. Action Hero + your name” </b><br />It felt great. It was liberating.<br /> <br /><b>9) Hungry? It’s time for lunch! Find a place to eat. Join a stranger over a meal. Find out what they love to eat the most. Tell them about your most favourite food. </b><br />I couldn’t find anybody who was available to have lunch with me but I picked up a Tandoori Chicken Sandwich from CCD at the metro station on MG road which is what I had during lunchtime.. I love Turkish cuisine. More specifically, shawarmas and meshaltat.<br /> <br /><b>10) Exit 50 steps right from where you’re eating. Rub your tummy. Stop. LOL. laugh out loud.</b><br />Yes, I LOLed <img alt=":D" class="wp-smiley" src="http://s0.wp.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif?m=1129645325g" /> It made me LOL more because people were getting weirded out by me.<br /> <br /><b>11) Hum. Whistle. Sing your favourite song.</b><br />I sang Bindya by Sulk Station around 16 times. I couldn’t get this song out of my head after this task. I love singing so I love the experience every time I do<br /> <br /><b>12) Fancy volunteering? Find someone working outside. Ask them if u can work w for 30 min. Don’t go to lonely shop in lane. Stay Outside</b><br />I’m not sure if this would be valid but I gave the Baskin Robbins staff a new playlist for their store on Brigade Road. I was a bit apprehensive in the beginning but once I got a conversation going, it got easier.<br /> <br /><b>13) Create an activity that would involve public participation. Could be cleaning. singing. story telling. 30 minutes</b><br />I joined some girls in their blindfolding game. I didn’t initiate it but i tried blending in with them. They were very welcoming.<br /> <br /><b>15) Walk alone. Keep walking in the direction of your home. Walk to the next bus stop. Walk slow. Smile. Walk slow. Enjoy the rain.</b><br />I met a little boy selling roses who kept nagging me asking me to buy roses from him. Since it was raining, I told him that I enjoy ice-cream more in the rain. I felt bad later because I felt like I should have bought him a cone so he could experience what I was talking about.<br /> <br /><b>16) Take the bus home. Occupy space. Assert presence. Think of where you want to sit. Sit or stand next to someone you find comforting. Talk about all the things you both love about Bangalore.</b><br />I did not do this because, it was raining too hard and my teeth were chattering but when i did walk to the bus stop much later, I was shivering and it was a bitter yet enjoyable experience.<br />I met this short, fair complexioned very cute lady named Shruti. When asked what she loves about Bangalore, she said that since she was born and brought up in Bangalore, she loves everything about it. She is and advertiser who works on Cunningham road.<br /> <br /><b>17) What have you discovered about your city?</b><br />Bangalore is full of these little ‘escapes’ as I call them and I love them because they are in my opinion quite perfect.<br /> <br /><b>18) What have you discovered about yourself?</b><br />I had the biggest epiphany about myself today. I’ve always been afraid to travel by myself because I’d rely on people to take care of me. Today I got the chance to try this out for myself and I think I did a decent job. My newfound love for travelling alone surfaced today and I think I’ll do something like this more often from now.<br /> <br /><b>19) What have you discovered about strangers?</b><br />I’ve discovered that you CANNOT judge people by the way they look and that by simply smiling at them you make such a big difference to their mindset and to the situation. Even though there were a few who were slightly orthodox and hostile in their interaction with me, they still made an impression that wasn’t entirely negative.<br /> <br /><b>20) How would you rate your experience?</b><br />adventurous<br /> <br /><b>21) What does it mean to be an Action Hero?</b><br />I feel more powerful after this exercise of being an Action Hero. I feel like I can talk to anyone and that I’m beginning to unlearn fear.<br /> <br /><hr /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fz-jEdjO-4U/Upr44dzK3CI/AAAAAAAABwc/CiFP51XVBMM/s1600/ActionHeroChaitali.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fz-jEdjO-4U/Upr44dzK3CI/AAAAAAAABwc/CiFP51XVBMM/s320/ActionHeroChaitali.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><b>How are you feeling?</b><br />I m feeling refreshed after the interaction with so many people at shivaji nagar. It was amazing to experience and experiment something new. I felt like the confidence that i showed in the game i would not have shown it anywhere else. Basically it was fun!<br /> <br /><b>What is your name?</b><br />Chaitali Pai<br /> <br /><b>Where are you playing from?</b><br />Shivaji Nagar, Bangalore<br /> <br /><b>Why did you choose this location?</b><br />As I heard it was a market place so thought i could interact with the crowd.<br /> <br /><b>Gender</b><br />female<br /> <br /><b>What is your age?</b><br />20<br /> <br /><b>1) Unfold your arms. Stand with feet apart on the ground. Take a deep breathe. Observe the place you are in. ( Colours. Smell. People. Textures. Make a mental note)</b><br />Colours – As it was a market place it had all the colours like (white,green, yellow, blue, brown, orange, black, pink, light pink, dark brown, red, etc)<br />Smell – garbage smell,chapel/ shoe smell, goat smell, smoke, garment smell, fruits smell, sugarecane, agarbati smell, sambar smell, hospital smell, sweat smell<br />People – venders, local, Muslims, college crowd, housewives, poor people, flowers seller, police officers, office going people, school kids, newspaper guy, youngsters, old Muslim people<br />Texture – rough, metal, hard, steel, sand, water, rock hard, flowers soft, candles wax,garments cotton,chapel rubber<br /> <br /><b>2)Keep your chin raised. Make eye contact. Slowly walk up and down the place. Keep those arms swinging. Smile.</b><br />Before task i was conscious about what will people think should i do this or not. But later i thought chalo give it a shot. It was great as if i know the place very well with a big smile on my face and hands swinging. People thought i was weird as well as lost my mind.<br /> <br /><b>3) Sit down. Lean back. Arch your back. Stretch your arms. What is the colour of the sky? What is the colour of your eyes ? Smile.</b><br />Before the task i was deciding a place. Then i got a perfect place that is electronic shop stairs owned by Muslim person.I got confidence to do the task. So i started my task the sky was light blue with lil yellow. The colour of my eye was brown and blackish. After the task felt better but everyone started asking what do u want to buy and gave a big smile. So even i smile and left!<br /> <br /><b>4) Stand up. YAWN. Wide open yawn. 5 times. Stretch some more. Twist. Stretch. Yawn.</b><br />I was yawning near a shopping place and pretended to buy clothes and yawned and yawned and left.<br />People started starring and observing why was i yawning so much.<br /> <br /><b>5) Walk left by 100 steps. Stop. Make eye contact with 3 different strangers. Smile. earn a smile back from all three.</b><br />When i walked 100 steps i reached near Russell Market. I chose to smile at a housewife when i entered 1st she smiled back and said HELLO. Later while walking ahead i smiled at a old guy in his 60′s who smiled at me back. I even smiled at the young boy in his teens and he smiled gracefully.<br />It was awesome as some unknown person who did not expect smiled at you. It made my day.<br /> <br /><b>6) Walk left by 39 steps. Identify a stranger to talk to. You have fifteen minutes to talk with this person.</b><br />I arrived at S.M.S Store.The stranger i meet was a son and his father. The son spoke very good English better than me. His name was Owai Zahmed. I started with the conversation about shivaji nagar. He told me how it was build by Britishers. He said before they owned a plastic shop they had cold storage shop. He said shivaji nagar was divided into Russell market,Richard Square, Church and Boring Hospital (Lady Crucen Hospital) made by the British government. There is Ghousia Hospital only for ladies near by there is a Darga. Contoment Railway station was near and even said Shivaji Nagar was known as CONTOMENT before. We would have interacted more but got the action hero sms so had to leave.<br /> <br /><b>7) Ask someone to take a photo of you where you are. Use ur mobile phone camera.</b><br />The SMS Store son<br /> <br /><b>8) Say out loud. ” I pledge to unlearn fear. To be visible. To occupy space. My City. Action Hero + your name” </b><br />Felt relaxed and save.<br /> <br /><b>9) Hungry? It’s time for lunch! Find a place to eat. Join a stranger over a meal. Find out what they love to eat the most. Tell them about your most favourite food. </b><br />I went to street food shop. It had round tables with plastic chairs and a lonely lady sitting alone with her phone to her hears Took some time to interact. Her name was Jennifer. I ate pav bhaji, vada pav and a mosumbi juice. My favourite food is Chinese, Mexican and Indian food.She loved South Indian and Chinese.<br /> <br /><b>10) Exit 50 steps right from where you’re eating. Rub your tummy. Stop. LOL. laugh out loud.</b><br />I was near vender shop and i felt weird while lol laugh! But it was awesome<br /> <br /><b>11) Hum. Whistle. Sing your favourite song.</b><br />I m bad at whistle but i tried to sing Dhoom song. It was fun but i could do it much better<br /> <br /><b>12) ) Fancy volunteering? Find someone working outside. Ask them if u can work w for 30 min. Don’t go to lonely shop in lane. Stay Outside</b><br />I chose to volunteer a simple guy selling dates and dryfruits. I told him i wanted to help him to sell stuff so he said yes. I discover i could be a good seller as i sell it to 3 people approx Rs.300. I was a adventure doing this task.<br /> <br /><b>13) Create an activity that would involve public participation. Could be cleaning. singing. story telling. 30 minutes</b><br />I told them which ever song they knew of any language to sing. So met foreigners from North they were sporting so they sang a child like song for me. Later i said the same thing in a clothes shop where max 7 – 8 people sang for me. It was like did i seriously do this shit thing. It was confidence gaining.<br /> <br /><b>14) Walk towards a bus stop. On the way , find someone sitting alone. Talk with them. Tell them something about you no one knows. Walk away.</b><br />I met Madhavan born in Bangalore. She sells flowers. I said i was scared of dark cant sleep at night. He started laughing and started telling his won stories. It felt like i was stupid person to tell that stuff about me.<br /> <br /><b>15) Walk alone. Keep walking in the direction of your home. Walk to the next bus stop. Walk slow. Smile. Walk slow. Enjoy the rain.</b><br />Rains were amazing and felt great it was so cold did not carry my jacket. Felt like heaven.<br /> <br /><b>16) Take the bus home. Occupy space. Assert presence. Think of where you want to sit. Sit or stand next to someone you find comforting. Talk about all the things you both love about Bangalore.</b><br />I met this person Shruti. She looked like hectic person after long so was i so the comfort zone was the same. We both love the weather about Bangalore.<br /> <br /><b>17) What have you discovered about your city?</b><br />Most helpful people are around and felt the city would be save once u challenge urself.<br /> <br /><b>18) What have you discovered about yourself?</b><br />I developed my confidence as well as thought could perform better. I got the confidence i could interact with so many people.<br /> <br /><b>19) What have you discovered about strangers?</b><br />All strangers aren’t the same.never go by their look as they could turn out to be different.<br /> <br /><b>20) How would you rate your experience?</b><br />adventurous<br /> <br /><hr /><br /><b>How are you feeling?</b><br />Whew! What a day!<br /> <br /><b>What is your name?</b><br />Shalini<br /> <br /><b>Where are you playing from?</b><br />Bangalore<br /> <br /><b>Gender</b><br />Female<br /> <br /><b>What is your age?</b><br />20<br /> <br /><b>1) Unfold your arms. Stand with feet apart on the ground. Take a deep breathe. Observe the place you are in. ( Colours. Smell. People. Textures. Make a mental note)</b><br />Blues. Yellows. Green. Black. Whites. Rust. Grey.<br />Rough. Lively. Fresh. Busy. Lonely.<br /> <br /><b>2)Keep your chin raised. Make eye contact. Slowly walk up and down the place. Keep those arms swinging. Smile.</b><br />As a matter of fact, i was already doing this before i read the task. Just not swinging my arms. That made me slightly more visible, i guess. People started to look suspicious.<br /> <br /><b>3) Sit down. Lean back. Arch your back. Stretch your arms. What is the colour of the sky? What is the colour of your eyes ? Smile.</b><br />As there were no benches around, i sat on the pavement.<br />The color of the sky was greyish blue with grey clouds. With a hint of sun ray from somewhere. I actually tried looking through the camera, But it sucked! -_-<br />I think it was still brown. Haha!<br />Maybe due to the reflection it could have been greyish bluish brown.<br />Anyway, it felt good to rest my legs. Felt a lot relaxed. A woman walked upto me to ask if i was feeling okay. Smiled and walked away on knowing that i was.<br /> <br /><b>4) Stand up. YAWN. Wide open yawn. 5 times. Stretch some more. Twist. Stretch. Yawn.</b><br />By now the men around were sure that either i was a terrorist or homeless. They had this mixed expression on their face. I was asked if i had runaway or lost or waiting for someone.<br /> <br /><b>5) Walk left by 100 steps. Stop. Make eye contact with 3 different strangers. Smile. earn a smile back from all three.</b><br />This was the craziest and the funniest experience. Since i was walking on a pavement i ended up in the middle of the road after 100 steps. I chose to stand there and smile at the car approaching me. He zoomed past me, almost killing me. And no, I’m quite certain i did not receive a smile back.<br />Now, I HAD to move, so i took few more steps and got onto the divider. Smiled at a bunch of girls crossing the road. Got smiles back and hand waves. Next up, a bike happened to stop right in front of me because of the signal. I smiled at him. He looked away. I smiled again, got back a very hesitant, embarassed smile back.<br /> <br /><b>6) Walk left by 39 steps. Identify a stranger to talk to. You have fifteen minutes to talk with this person.</b><br />I think it was a little more than 39 steps. Anyway, i crossed the road. There was a cotton expo shop. I spoke to the shopkeeper. We spoke about how his life was, his family, where he was from, how he ended up selling cotton, what his favorite fabric was etc.<br /> <br /><b>7) Ask someone to take a photo of you where you are. Use ur mobile phone camera.</b><br />Couldnt complete the task.<br /> <br /><b>8) Say out loud. ” I pledge to unlearn fear. To be visible. To occupy space. My City. Action Hero + your name” </b><br />Happy. Accomplished.<br /> <br /><b>9) Hungry? It’s time for lunch! Find a place to eat. Join a stranger over a meal. Find out what they love to eat the most. Tell them about your most favourite food. </b><br />Had chips. Couldn’t find an eatery. Tried talking to the shopkeeper, as he was the only human being available. Language barrier.<br /> <br /><b>10) Exit 50 steps right from where you’re eating. Rub your tummy. Stop. LOL. laugh out loud.</b><br />A construction site. The workers looked at me, startled. I smiled back.<br /> <br /><b>11) Hum. Whistle. Sing your favourite song.</b><br />Started with ‘she will be loved’ by maroon 5. Ended with “counting stars” by one republic.<br />A regular affair. I do sing while walking in general. Only difference was i could hear myself sing today. As no earphones would intervene. Haha.<br /> <br /><b>12) ) Fancy volunteering? Find someone working outside. Ask them if u can work w for 30 min. Don’t go to lonely shop in lane. Stay Outside</b><br />Went back to the construction site. Forced them to let me work. Put cement on the bricks for a while. Carried sand thaalis. They were really amused and impressed with my strength. I thanked them and left. They were still pretty confused.<br /> <br /><b>13) Create an activity that would involve public participation. Could be cleaning. singing. story telling. 30 minutes</b><br />Tried making people skip and clap. Many just laughed it off, some were too shy, some tried and laughed throughout.<br /> <br /><b>14) Walk towards a bus stop. On the way , find someone sitting alone. Talk with them. Tell them something about you no one knows. Walk away.</b><br />Her name was Shaina. She was a young working woman. She seemed upset, gathered the courage to ask. Had an intimate conversation. Felt good. Felt like i did a good deed and that i had importance, even as a stranger.<br /> <br /><b>15) Walk alone. Keep walking in the direction of your home. Walk to the next bus stop. Walk slow. Smile. Walk slow. Enjoy the rain.</b><br />I was enjoying the rain It felt great. After a long time i got wet in the rain. Initially, it was a little uncomfortable, as it was that time of the month for me, but i overcame petty issues in life to give way to much happier and heavenly feelings.<br /> <br /><b>16) Take the bus home. Occupy space. Assert presence. Think of where you want to sit. Sit or stand next to someone you find comforting. Talk about all the things you both love about Bangalore.</b><br />Unfortunately, the bus was empty. After a long time someone came and sat next to me. She was an elderly localite. Language was again a barrier. So i spent the bus ride listening to music and getting wet in the rain and getting lost in my thoughts.<br /> <br /><b>17) What have you discovered about your city?</b><br />There is lack of warmth. People are busy. Its life in the fast lane. People here are judgemental to an extent that they do not want to experience otherwise.<br /> <br /><b>18) What have you discovered about yourself?</b><br />I don’t need to push myself to be visible or friendly. I am that way already. At no point did this game intimidate me. The tasks were very regular for me. But i discovered that i could practice some of the tasks on a daily basis, which i don’t.<br /> <br /><b>19) What have you discovered about strangers?</b><br />They are:<br />Equally inquisitive<br />Not everyone can cause harm<br />Curious<br />Just another human being<br />Selfish, self centered<br />Welcoming<br />Judgemental<br /> <br /><b>20) How would you rate your experience?</b><br />exciting<br /> <br /><b>21) What does it mean to be an Action Hero?</b><br />It describes a person without pre-conceived notions. A confident, smart, intuitive, spontaneous, courageous and aware individual.<br />I think, i have experienced and displayed these qualities in spurts.<br />So being all these at once was a different experience today. I feel more responsible and active than ever.<br /> <br /><hr /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-neLivGMAigw/Upr4a84aruI/AAAAAAAABwM/qmB_vmjAkI8/s1600/ActionHeroPalak2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-neLivGMAigw/Upr4a84aruI/AAAAAAAABwM/qmB_vmjAkI8/s320/ActionHeroPalak2.png" width="213" /></a><br /><b>How are you feeling?</b><br />proud<br /> <br /><b>What is your name?</b><br />Palak<br /> <br /><b>Where are you playing from?</b><br />bangalore<br /> <br /><b>Why did you choose this location?</b><br />wanted to explore the area that i always pass but have never been there.<br /> <br /><b>Gender</b><br />female<br /> <br /><b>What is your age?</b><br />19<br /> <br /><b>1) Unfold your arms. Stand with feet apart on the ground. Take a deep breathe. Observe the place you are in. ( Colours. Smell. People. Textures. Make a mental note)</b><br />since i was standing on the bus stop there were many people i saw! i could smell the flowers from the flower shop near by and also the snack and tea. i could smell a really foul smell from the near by toilets and there were a lot of colors.<br /> <br /><b>2)Keep your chin raised. Make eye contact. Slowly walk up and down the place. Keep those arms swinging. Smile.</b><br />before the task i was feeling really weird as to how would i do the task. and people were staring really weirdly as to what i was doing. after the task i felt good but the stares still creeped me out. they were probably thing that i was some insane girl!<br /> <br /><b>3) Sit down. Lean back. Arch your back. Stretch your arms. What is the colour of the sky? What is the colour of your eyes ? Smile.</b><br />this task was good. everyone around me was also just in the position that the task told us to do. but when i started to strech my arms it didnt feel weird.<br /> <br /><b>4) Stand up. YAWN. Wide open yawn. 5 times. Stretch some more. Twist. Stretch. Yawn.</b><br />everything felt perfectly normal in this task. i was getting used to the people and the people were getting used to me.<br /> <br /><b>5) Walk left by 100 steps. Stop. Make eye contact with 3 different strangers. Smile. earn a smile back from all three.</b><br />walking down the road felt good. but getting the smiles was really difficult to get the smiles. i smiled at every possible person but i was definitely cautious as to whom i was smiling to. finally i earned smiles from 2 old women at their stalls. a police man, and young lady and a child. i didnt know the place i reached.<br /> <br /><b>6) Walk left by 39 steps. Identify a stranger to talk to. You have fifteen minutes to talk with this person.</b><br />i met a young lady sitting at the front of a toyota showroom. i approached her and talked asked her name and where she was but she didnt understand what i was saying. i asked her whether she knew english or hindi but she didnt. so we started having our conversation through actions and whatever amount of hindi she knew. her name was smrti and she was there waiting for her child to come back from school.<br /> <br /><b>7) Ask someone to take a photo of you where you are. Use ur mobile phone camera.</b><br />a school girl.<br /> <br /><b>8) Say out loud. ” I pledge to unlearn fear. To be visible. To occupy space. My City. Action Hero + your name” </b><br />it felt nice but i felt sad that there were only a few people around me to hear this. so i went to another place and said it out loud but people there didnt know what i was saying so i just walked away after i said the pledge.<br /> <br /><b>9) Hungry? It’s time for lunch! Find a place to eat. Join a stranger over a meal. Find out what they love to eat the most. Tell them about your most favourite food. </b><br />i didnt understand the name of the place that i went to but everyone was sitting in huge groups so i didnt approach them. but i saw some girl eating alone so i went upto her and asked her but she was too shy and wanted me to go so i had my lunch alone.<br /> <br /><b>10) Exit 50 steps right from where you’re eating. Rub your tummy. Stop. LOL. laugh out loud.</b><br />it was really embarrassing to do this and when i started laughing everyone thought that i was a crazy person and some of the people were laughing at me!<br /> <br /><b>11) Hum. Whistle. Sing your favourite song.</b><br />i sang its the climb and it felt nice. i usually sing when i am alone so i wasnt hesitated to do this.<br /> <br /><b>12) ) Fancy volunteering? Find someone working outside. Ask them if u can work w for 30 min. Don’t go to lonely shop in lane. Stay Outside</b><br />i tried asking people for different jobs but they rejected me. i finally approached an uncle who was distributing pamphlets and i asked him whether i could do the job but he agreed but only for 10 minutes. i discovered that people dont care about pamphlets and its a waste of paper.<br /> <br /><b>13) Create an activity that would involve public participation. Could be cleaning. singing. story telling. 30 minutes</b><br />i didnt do this.<br /> <br /><b>14) Walk towards a bus stop. On the way , find someone sitting alone. Talk with them. Tell them something about you no one knows. Walk away.</b><br />it was really funny when i did this. i met an old uncle and then there i was sitting beside him telling him a really vague story about my childhood and he was really concerned. it was really sweet but also funny.<br /> <br /><b>15) Walk alone. Keep walking in the direction of your home. Walk to the next bus stop. Walk slow. Smile. Walk slow. Enjoy the rain.</b><br />i felt good. it felt like i could actually go and walk alone anywhere apart fromdingy places though.<br /> <br /><b>16) Take the bus home. Occupy space. Assert presence. Think of where you want to sit. Sit or stand next to someone you find comforting. Talk about all the things you both love about Bangalore.</b><br />the stranger was a lady from mangalore and it felt that she was comforting because the way she carried herself. first she was shy but then she opened up. we like the whether of bangalore.<br /> <br /><b>17) What have you discovered about your city?</b><br />it is really big!there are so many lanes and its not that every person is a creep.<br /> <br /><b>18) What have you discovered about yourself?</b><br />that i do have the courage to go out alone.<br /> <br /><b>19) What have you discovered about strangers?</b><br />they can be sweet and protective.<br /> <br /><b>20) How would you rate your experience?</b><br />risky<br /> <br /><hr /><br /><b>How are you feeling?</b><br />It was uncomfortable. But it was a useful exercise because it taught me to approach people more confidently.<br /> <br /><b>What is your name?</b><br />Nupur Balasubramanyam<br /> <br /><b>Where are you playing from?</b><br />UB City<br /> <br /><b>Why did you choose this location?</b><br />Unfamiliarity<br /> <br /><b>Gender</b><br />female<br /> <br /><b>What is your age?</b><br />21<br /> <br /><b>1) Unfold your arms. Stand with feet apart on the ground. Take a deep breathe. Observe the place you are in. ( Colours. Smell. People. Textures. Make a mental note)</b><br />A/C.<br />Marble corridors<br />smell of perfumes from Parcos<br />security guards<br />watchmen<br />a few families walking around<br /> <br /><b>2)Keep your chin raised. Make eye contact. Slowly walk up and down the place. Keep those arms swinging. Smile.</b><br />Self-conscious, trying to do it without anyone seeing me.<br /> <br /><b>3) Sit down. Lean back. Arch your back. Stretch your arms. What is the colour of the sky? What is the colour of your eyes ? Smile.</b><br />I felt pretty good stretching and yawning.<br /> <br /><b>4) Stand up. YAWN. Wide open yawn. 5 times. Stretch some more. Twist. Stretch. Yawn.</b><br />I did it a little self-consciously, but I did it anyway<br /> <br /><b>5) Walk left by 100 steps. Stop. Make eye contact with 3 different strangers. Smile. earn a smile back from all three.</b><br />I arrived near the restaurants. I smiled at an old man, a security guard and a middle-aged woman.<br /> <br /><b>6) Walk left by 39 steps. Identify a stranger to talk to. You have fifteen minutes to talk with this person.</b><br />I walked to a luxury goods shop and initiated a conversation with the saleswoman. She ended up telling me all about her education, the politics in UB city, the horrible clients and the nice ones, and how long she plans to work there.<br /> <br /><b>7) Ask someone to take a photo of you where you are. Use ur mobile phone camera.</b><br />No one<br /> <br /><b>8) Say out loud. ” I pledge to unlearn fear. To be visible. To occupy space. My City. Action Hero + your name” </b><br />It felt empowering.<br /> <br /><b>9) Hungry? It’s time for lunch! Find a place to eat. Join a stranger over a meal. Find out what they love to eat the most. Tell them about your most favourite food. </b><br />I had lunch at Subway. I didn’t eat with anyone because the three people I asked refused.<br /> <br /><b>10) Exit 50 steps right from where you’re eating. Rub your tummy. Stop. LOL. laugh out loud.</b><br />Yeah I LOL’d. I arrived at the escalator area.<br /> <br /><b>11) Hum. Whistle. Sing your favourite song.</b><br />I hummed Kung Fu fighting. It felt great.<br /> <br /><b>12) ) Fancy volunteering? Find someone working outside. Ask them if u can work w for 30 min. Don’t go to lonely shop in lane. Stay Outside</b><br />I didn’t end up doing this.<br /> <br /><b>13) Create an activity that would involve public participation. Could be cleaning. singing. story telling. 30 minutes</b><br />I spoke to three people at the Samsung store.<br /> <br /><b>14) Walk towards a bus stop. On the way , find someone sitting alone. Talk with them. Tell them something about you no one knows. Walk away.</b><br />I shared my story with an old lady who was waiting for a 13 b bus. I felt nice to share.<br /> <br /><b>15) Walk alone. Keep walking in the direction of your home. Walk to the next bus stop. Walk slow. Smile. Walk slow. Enjoy the rain.</b><br />Wet<br /> <br /><b>16) Take the bus home. Occupy space. Assert presence. Think of where you want to sit. Sit or stand next to someone you find comforting. Talk about all the things you both love about Bangalore.</b><br />The stranger was a young teenage girl. She just seemed unassuming.<br />I love the weather.<br /> <br /><b>17) What have you discovered about your city?</b><br />That there are a lot of friendly people to make up for the unfriendly ones.<br /> <br /><b>18) What have you discovered about yourself?</b><br />That I am quite happy with myself.<br /> <br /><b>19) What have you discovered about strangers?</b><br />That some of them are really friendly and don’t have expectations.<br /> <br /><b>20) How would you rate your experience?</b><br />open</div>Blank Noisehttps://plus.google.com/104647555251828481056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898361239830383757.post-8890825193854708282013-11-05T16:38:00.004+05:302013-11-05T16:38:58.100+05:30Action Hero Zyborg <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Blog-a-thon 2006<br /><br /><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://chains-of-solitude.blogspot.com/2006/03/blank-noise-project.html">Bl<span lang="EN">ank noise project</span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></h3><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I was reading <a href="http://apublicdiary.blogspot.com/">A Public Diary</a>and hit upon <a href="http://www.blanknoiseproject.blogspot.com/">Blank Noise Project</a>. This really made me started thinking. Street Abuse, otherwise called eve-teasing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Abuse is rampant, much more in the northern part of the country than in south, or so it seems at least, but yes I have been unable to come around a single friend of mine who has escaped it, be it public transport, be it by lanes, be it relatives, be it strangers.<br />Why this abuse though? what makes the guys do it ?? Is it their insecurity, do they feel threatened by female sexuality, and hence the need to control, force, enslave ?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Or is it the barometer of our cultural maturity.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I guess it is all, but what makes it all the more sick is the trauma that the victim goes through. those endless nights, where she questions herself, believes that she instigated it, holds herself responsible for it having happened to her, shuts herself off, or goes ahead to tame a break all the guys she can come across. In short the abuse leaves a permanent mark on one's psyche.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I guess the only way to attack this problem is to attack the roots, attack the decadence that has crept into our society, where we no longer value the originality of thought that we exhibited some centuries ago. The moral policing is not going to solve the issue, only thing that can solve this issue is demolish all the taboo's in the society.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Such was the magic all around<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">such was the bounty abound<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">such was the diversity and tolerance<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">such was the land where I belonged<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">there was a place for everyone<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">every thought had a <span class="st">pedestal</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">all were invited to be part of the the glory<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">and the live the glory to the max<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'CG Omega', sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">and the land nurtured them all........</span><br /><b><br />BEING FEARLESS IS A PROCESS</b> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">how did you learn to say no?</a> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">How and when you become an&nbsp;<b>Action Hero</b></a></div>Blank Noisehttps://plus.google.com/104647555251828481056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898361239830383757.post-74357756650764370342013-11-05T16:36:00.003+05:302013-11-05T16:36:53.775+05:30Action Hero Twilight Fairy <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Blog-a-thon 2006<br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://twilightfairy.rediffblogs.com/2006_05_03_twilightfairy_archive.html">Take a vow</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">As I sit down to write for the <a href="http://blanknoiseproject.blogspot.com/2006/02/blank-noise-presents_22.html">blank noise blog-athon</a>, I wonder where I could begin. Should I start chronologically from the age of 7, when a man servant felt me up in places I can still not get myself to write down? Or should I go ahead to the age of 14 when a guy rubbed himself into me in a not so crowded bus in Nepal, all this when my parents and sister were in the same bus, but I didn't dare to move, for the sad reason that at that age, I didn't know how have the guts to react in that kind of a situation. Or should I just jump past all those daily experiences of men feeling me up, pushing themselves into me in public transport, or staring at me or winking at me or passing lewd remarks or pinching my butt or singing songs or throwing balloons at me every damned holi or autodrivers offering me "lifts, jahan bhee jaana ho" or cars stopping by when I am walking alone on a main busy road, following me for some time, assuming that I am on sale or "boys" aiming small paper pellets at my butt or men hitting my butt by driving too close to me while I am walking my dog or guys speeding on a bike hitting my chest so hard that I almost fall with the sheer force (apart from the shock)... I am out of breath already and this sentence doesnt even seem to be anywhere near ending. Maybe I should just land up at the incident which happened at some new year party when I was 16 and at that age, like everyone else I had the humble desire a young girl would have - that of being asked for a dance (not even a ballroom dance, just a jam session). Little did I know that the request for a dance was a pretext for masturbation in a public place with the guy trying to make me fondle his dick. By that age, I was thankfully not so ill-equipped in terms of presence of mind (had enormous experience of such incidents by now) and I shoved him away with all my might. But till this date, only one person on this planet knew about it and she actually thought that I had imagined it all, since guys in those social circles are supposed to be "decent". Nothing really "harmful" (this term is so damn subjective) happened then. I tried dealing with that incident in an adult manner (in my mind i.e.) so that my self esteem didnt get hit ("did I really look the cheap variety or did I look the "unable to do anything variety" to attract the wrong guys" kind of doubts). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">There are ways and means <a href="http://twilightfairy.rediffblogs.com/2004_06_06_twilightfairy_archive.html#1086952055">to tackle that colleague </a>who talks to your breasts or that elderly relative who pretends to be fawning over you but is actually lusting (you can always tell). Of course, one needs to weigh ones options and actions a little bit keeping in mind all odds. One does not go ahead and take pangas with a gang when one is alone. But one can definitely be alert and quick (not just physically but mentally as well). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">There has happened a particular incident of ballooning where the guy made the mistake of being visible while throwing the balloon. He happened to work at a local barber shop, which I immediately stormed into and gave him a piece of my mind and some of the choicest abuses I knew. A guy there (a client) egged me on to give him a tight slap as well. I quietly ignored him since I didnt want the situation to get so heated up and that guy seemed to be egging me on just for kicks. I cant say that what I did, would have made the ballooning guy stop it for his life. But it's always best to bring the "situation" into notice. The fear of embarassment is enough for some to at least think twice about it next time. There was another guy who tried brushing past me on a main road while I was waiting to cross it. The whole damn road was empty, but he thought that he would have a piece of my butt before I reached the other side. That guy was unaware that he was going to get the shock of his life. Though I felt like killing him, I merely held his collar with both hands and shook him so badly that he didnt know what hit him. He tried running for his life, but he couldnt. I was surprised with my own grip. Eventually he managed to pull off and ran for his life. It was only when everything was over and done with, that the "crowd" asked me what happened and if he was trying to snatch my purse. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">There are umpteen such situations in everyday life and they would perhaps never end. Not only is it difficult to try and give such sick men their due, it is very much a difficult thing when you are left in a doubt about the intention of someone. At times things happen accidentally and unintentionally too. But at most times they are obvious enough to be brought to public notice. Even if the "crowd" does not react (and only watches) one should definitely make sure that one does not ignore it. In public transport one can always request ppl politely to stop pushing or plainly to stand a little away. The way one does it makes sure that even the ones who did it accidentally arent offended by your request and the ones doing it intentionally can not just go scot free. When it happens repeatedly in spite of polite requests, it's time to stomp that high heel onto his foot or to shove ones elbow into his balls.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br />The best way to actually try and reduce something like this is to spread awareness amongst women that they can actually protest against it. I have grown up watching things happen to me and around me and even though I knew it was wrong I didnt know what to do about it (till some point in my life). One needs to ignore minor happenings but one also needs to make sure that the ones which can be avoided, are. Things can get as ugly as molestation of ones own children or marital rape. There is no dearth of the levels till which harassment can go. Be aware, be prepared, be alert and be proud to be a woman inspite of the shit that happens.</span><br /><b><br />BEING FEARLESS IS A PROCESS</b> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">how did you learn to say no?</a> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">How and when you become an&nbsp;<b>Action Hero</b></a></div>Blank Noisehttps://plus.google.com/104647555251828481056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898361239830383757.post-77167169871928828162013-11-05T16:35:00.002+05:302013-11-05T16:35:40.384+05:30Action Hero Taruna<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Blog-a-thon 2006<br /><br /><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://tantalizingtaruna.blogspot.com/2006/03/benefit-of-doubt-not-anymore.html">Benefit of doubt - not anymore…</a><o:p></o:p></span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1b0431; font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">&nbsp;</span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This is related to the <a href="http://blanknoiseproject.blogspot.com/"><span lang="EN">Blank Noise Project</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">&nbsp;</span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Will the male groping ever stop?? I don't think so...<o:p></o:p></span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">&nbsp;</span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I still get a pain in the pits of my stomach when I think about how my best friend was groped in a very busy railway station back in school days or when my classmate from college was man-handled in a supposed-to-be-hip Shopping Mall or how scared we used to be (we still are) in any crowded place with lewd looks and lurking men.<o:p></o:p></span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">&nbsp;</span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I think I am a little ashamed of what had happened - not that it was in any way our fault or that we could have stopped it in anyway, but I feel that I could have atleast spoken up instead of shying and hurrying away from that place/person. But how much could I have done then?<o:p></o:p></span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">&nbsp;</span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I am a little too pulsed up now to write everything in an orderly fashion. So, I am just jolting it all down:<o:p></o:p></span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">&nbsp;</span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">1) I think I was about 12-13 years old. My friends and I used to bicycle to school everyday. There used to be this street corner on our way, where irrespective of time of the day or day of the week, a gang of thugs used to be sitting on the compound wall of some house (like sea erne eagerly waiting for timely prey). Everything was going good until one day my friend had to come to school alone (we had left for school earlier) and the lurker-guys had stopped her, started pulling her skirt, etc... She came to class in tears and the result - the school management changed our uniforms from skirt-shirt to chudidhars. We were shell-shocked. Did no one ever question them or will no one ever stop them. What did our parents do - asked us to change the route to school.<o:p></o:p></span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">&nbsp;</span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">2) The next incident was in a crowded <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Madras</st1:place></st1:city>railway station, when I was in senior secondary school. The metro trains were not that crowded that day. We must have seen that as a stopping sign. We got in the 'ladies compartment' thinking we were going to be safe!! My parents always used to chauffeur me everywhere. So, the idea of going in a train with just my friends was too good to resist. So, anyways, people started getting in and out... By the time, we reached Egmore, it was packed. Then, we got down and the station was jam-packed = excellent ambiance for gropy lurkers. Don't ask me what or what did not happen then. Last time I went in trains with just my (girl)friends and without an escort.<o:p></o:p></span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">&nbsp;</span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Now, I am just too depressed to pen more.<o:p></o:p></span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">&nbsp;</span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">When I was growing up, I sometimes used to think when I traveled by bus or train that it was just my imagination or over-cautiousness that led me to be suspicious of the others traveling. So, even if some ogling or leering or lewd-remarking did happen, I used to give them the benefit of doubt and not worry about it very much or just ignore it.<o:p></o:p></span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">&nbsp;</span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">What is it with the male society that makes them do this - is it just the absence and presence of something biological? Has there ever been a woman/girl who didn't have to go through this in her lifetime? For a long time, I used to wonder if it happened just to some girls......No, I realize its a 30-40 year time-span process for all women.....<o:p></o:p></span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">&nbsp;</span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I do know that not all men are like this. Men I am friends with, I work with, I have known since school and college days - I can quote a whole bunch of them, (atleast within my sphere of my knowledge) - who have been good to me. So, what is it with the rest of the man world?<o:p></o:p></span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">&nbsp;</span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Someday, sometime, somewhere we have to confront them. If its not today, then tomorrow we have to stop giving benefit of doubt and actually say something. Are they going to change? Probably not.... But better do it now, than never! STOP GIVING THE LURKERS THE BENEFIT OF DOUBT!<o:p></o:p></span></h3><br /><b><br />BEING FEARLESS IS A PROCESS</b> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">how did you learn to say no?</a> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">How and when you become an&nbsp;<b>Action Hero</b></a></div>Blank Noisehttps://plus.google.com/104647555251828481056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898361239830383757.post-42021162250601565392013-11-05T16:34:00.003+05:302013-11-05T16:34:15.779+05:30Action Hero Shivangi <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Blog-a-thon 2006<br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://shivangimisra.blogspot.com/2006/03/place-of-my-own.html">A place of my own</a> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">In the bus?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">the cafetaria?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">the auditorium?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">office?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">friend's house warming party?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">the rock show?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">cafe coffee day?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">the footpath?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">my photos?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">classroom?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">when I bend down to pick something up?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">on stage?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">a relative's wedding?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">the beach?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">while shopping?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">in the rear view mirror?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">car parking?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">CP?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">GK?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Habitat Centre?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">railway station?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">airport?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Give me a place where I don't have to worry about my bra strap...<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">"Thus have I put down my thoughts- I may have deceived myself- I may be vain- I may be in the wrong. I try to examine myself- and such as I have written appears to me the exact truth." </span></i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">--- </span></i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Mary Shelley<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: 'CG Omega', sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">*For Blog-a-thon 2006 (Blank Noise Project)</span><br /><b><br />BEING FEARLESS IS A PROCESS</b> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">how did you learn to say no?</a> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">How and when you become an&nbsp;<b>Action Hero</b></a></div>Blank Noisehttps://plus.google.com/104647555251828481056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898361239830383757.post-14995753513722845092013-11-05T16:32:00.005+05:302013-11-05T16:32:51.761+05:30Action Hero Searchinformrmojorising <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Blog-a-thon 2006<br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://inpursuitofgkw.blogspot.com/2006/03/we-will-not-perish-without-fight.html">We will NOT perish without a fight</a> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This is not about gender equality. It is about people. But about people with breasts and a vagina. Forgive <i>my</i> crudeness. So then, it does become about the whole 'redundant' gender topic now, doesnt it?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">" Its not like someone is raping you, is it? Wonder why women make such a hullabaloo about it."</span></i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Well let me tell you why. It breeds a feeling of self disgust. <i>"It is the girl's fault, of course."</i> The whole psychology of taking responsibility for everything, being a martyr. So girls, women, ladies- stop blaming yourselves and ask the moral police to find a new job.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I remember this particular incident(out of the very many). I was 11 years old taking swimming lessons during summer. I was quite independent and used to get back home in ~6 in the evening after classes in a rickshaw. Quite a popular mode of transport in Bangalore. So I got into one of those as usual, with a chatty driver. In the first few minutes, I knew something was wrong. Well, no it wasnt because of the infamous woman intuition but just that I had a normal olfactory system. The guy had been drinking.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">"So you go swimming eh? All little girls running around in swimsuits", said the rickshaw driver.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">No reply.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">"Are you in a hurry to go home? We could go somewhere else" and turns the auto in another direction.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Panic.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I bolted out of a running rickshaw. I did!! I ran to a nearby bus stop and sat there. Thankfully, there were many people. I was trying hard not to cry in public. The driver followed me...trying hard to walk. The rickshaw guy was saying lewd things. There was a man sitting next to me at the bus stop who didnt budge and looked away. We dont see evil like the Gandhian monkey right?A woman spoke up. She yelled at the guy and asked him to leave the place. She consoled me and asked me to take another rickshaw back home. No more rickshaws for me that evening, thank you very much. She said she was going in the same direction and told me that I could take the bus with her. I reached home and burst into tears. Sobbed out the whole story to my mom and didnt dare breathe a word to my dad. Wonder why now.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">After that incident, I am always on guard. Paranoid even.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">At one of the girl 'pyjama parties', I was shocked to hear so many stories from my friends..being molested by relatives when they were kids! Apparently, it is not that uncommon. People just dont talk about it. And most girls blames themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Women's day doesnt mean anything to me. But if people are going to become more aware of the world they live in because of one day 'dedicated' to women, so be it. That doesnt hurt or annoy. Unlike the lewd comments, stares, arse pinching, verbal absuses...oh the list is endless.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: 'CG Omega', sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">I just hope more women find the strength first.... in order to find their voices.</span><br /><b><br />BEING FEARLESS IS A PROCESS</b> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">how did you learn to say no?</a> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">How and when you become an&nbsp;<b>Action Hero</b></a></div>Blank Noisehttps://plus.google.com/104647555251828481056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898361239830383757.post-5437366565391701022013-11-05T16:31:00.000+05:302013-11-05T16:31:07.301+05:30Action Hero Say 'Cheee'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Blog-a-thon 2006<br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://idaretosayno.blogspot.com/2006/03/i-say-no.html">I say, NO!</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">There was something very creepy, something very uncomfortable about these two teenaged boys who used to live on the ground floor of her building, a place somewhere aloof from the Mumbai suburbs. She was just six then, a mind too tender to even understand the rights and the wrongs of the world. Almost everyday, one of them alternatively used to come to her house and gradually befriended the girl’s grand parents. They used to convince her granny for taking her grand daughter out for an ice- pepsi which was popular amongst the kids then, and instead took her upstairs to a flat on an under constructed floor and…….<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The girl now doesn’t even remember how they abused her, but she remembers her turmoil and disgust that she suffered even then and later that the process of ‘going out for ice- pepsi’ coming to a screeching halt.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Maybe her grandmother who spent most of her life in the innocent villages and who was more than just a grandmother and a guardian of the little girl when her parents were away at work suspected something fishy and took stern action…. Maybe someone else caught those boys during the act…. Maybe something else.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I just vaguely remember this entire thing happening to me, but I was jolted with surprise when another friend of mine narrated a similar experience that happened with her, at a similar age.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">She was sexually harassed by her own uncle.</span></i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">As I grew, I realized <i>this was every girl’s story.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Guess the old saying ‘charity begins at home’ stands right in such cases.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The disgust still haunts, still hurts and is relived day-by-day, everyday. It happens on the streets, school buses, on your way to office, crowded elevators and staircases, hospitals, police stations, you name it and you have it right there, happening in broad day light.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">So who all are these ‘men’ who indulge in shamelessly harassing a girl who is also a living being just like him, just to pacify their raging hormones? Well, there are no categories; just anybody and everybody can qualify with flying colours. It can be your own mamaaji or phoophaji, the aspiring Post Graduates from American Universities living in your own building, the roadside Romeos, the overworked, under paid and overstressed conductors of the buses, any spitting passerby with boneless arms connected to his shoulders that swing so hard that they make sure they touch some girl’s breast on the railway station, a seventy three year old uncleji, someone who is generally least suspected too who would just murmur a lewd comment when you are passing by and act as if he said nothing, the highly qualified, White collared executives who bombard colleagues and juniors alike and known for their aggressiveness and competition working for MNCs, anybody, JUST ANYBODY.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">We as townies, or broadly as Indians have been bricked and battered with the ‘Chalta hai’ attitude, which now runs in our blood.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">More so in the case of girls<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Folks and friends alike advise us that it is a time tested attitude that has avoided unwanted consequences that would pick up from your revolt. So the next time your galli ka dada comments ‘Gorgeous madam’ you tell yourself ‘chalta hai’. An uncle passing by tries to ridiculously sing ‘dhak dhak’ coming very close to your ears, you tell yourself ‘chalta hai.’ A rough hand wary of maneuvering the steering wheel of an overcrowded school bus slides into your skirt and caresses your behind when you are standing ahead of him as you, him and all other kids hurry to alight, you tell yourself ‘chalta hai’. You are late from office and you hurry to catch a rickshaw to go home and the minute you enter and settle in the seat, an unknown hand comes in, gropes your breast and disappears, you again tell yourself ‘chalta hai’.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">But somewhere, deep inside, you very well know the repeated ‘chalta hai’ is a lie, an implicated statement on your otherwise infuriated, weepy, outraged mind. Who would want to get rough with these guys after all? What if they are not just mere guys who harass and abuse, what if they are something more than just that, someone dreadful?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The fear puts all the anguish, all the tears on hold, you feel OK to let such things go and life moves on.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Not forever.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">So the next time while you are hustling out of a subway and a guy coming towards you falls over you, you push him so hard that he almost falls and then you turn and hit him on his back<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">You are waiting on the railway station for your 9.27 Churchgate local and the creep standing on the opposite bridge constantly stares at you occasionally making some lewd gestures, you show him your middle finger just about when your train approaches and you are about to lose his sight.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The conductor in an overflowing bus makes the most of the situation by brushing almost every organ of his body against you and you stomp on his foot with all the might of your four inches’ heels clad feet<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The smartie who occupies a seat besides you in the bus tries to get too close, you ask him flatly and loudly- what is his problem. And if you both are on the ladies’ seat, you make sure he gets up and gives it to any other lady who is standing.<br />You hunch, draw both your arms in front so as to cover your chest and hide it from groping hands while you are going up and down crowded bridges.<br />You frown at everyone so hard so as to let them know they cant mess with you, that your forehead aches<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">You have an ever ready fist to fling.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Your dreamy, unaware friend while walking with you, is felt up by some passerby taking advantage of her absence of alertness, you give her a BIG piece of mind.<br />You glare back at your boiling point at a person who is staring at you sitting in front of you in a public place and make sure he looks away.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And the saga goes on. Sometimes you give it back, many a times you dont.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Somehow, the Superwoman image has been so glorified over the recent years that all of us aspire to be one, at some point of time. At least to prove to ourselves, we tell ourselves, yes we can handle these pests too. But it would be our sheer stupidity if we take things for granted.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The best and only way out is to ignore, when you find yourself, unfortunately, with a shady person at some secluded place and he tries to act smart.<br />Read people’s faces, it teaches you over a period of time who can be harmful and who is not.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Walk very, very carefully in public places<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Don’t day- dream; avoid thinking of funny things that would unknowingly bring a smile on your face and send wrong signals.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Be curt, expressionless with guys who try to strike a conversation. Give them an impression you are the world’s biggest bore.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Its always good to have the phone number of your friend’s friend’s dad or brother who is a police or is a local political honcho.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Look away and not down, when a group of boys try to pass comments on you. Let them know you can’t give them the satisfaction of getting embarrassed by their comments.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Overall, there are innumerable dos and don’ts that any girl would have for her and would like to tell you too.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Also, sometimes the comments, the songs, the whistles, the murmurs and the touches might put you to shame, make you feel utterly helpless, enrage you like nothing else and reduce you to tears of anguish and self pity.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">You might hate yourself for being a woman.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">But then, <i>deny.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Deny succumbing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Feel proud that you <i>are</i> a woman and thank God you are not one of those jerks. Pity them as they don’t have the strength to put their dirty desires aside and refrain from committing such henious acts…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And nurture that anger, that pain, as that very anger and pain will help you to make a difference, maybe in your own little way.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Or, maybe, in a big way.</span></i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><b style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">&nbsp;</span></b><br /><b>BEING FEARLESS IS A PROCESS</b> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">how did you learn to say no?</a> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">How and when you become an&nbsp;<b>Action Hero</b></a></div>Blank Noisehttps://plus.google.com/104647555251828481056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898361239830383757.post-5822888471068249142013-11-05T16:30:00.000+05:302013-11-05T16:30:21.177+05:30Action Hero Say 'Cheee'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Blog-a-thon 2006 <br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://blurtblurtblurt.blogspot.com/2006/03/me-running-for-blogathon.html">Me 'running' for the Blogathon!</a> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">'So why do girls get all worked up with sleazy, or read it 'casual' comments or just- a- few- here- and- there pinches and feel- ups, I mean, can't you take it as a compliment or just simply IGNORE? Why get offended?', said one of my male- friends and a colleague, while I narrated to him how a guy started acting fresh when I was on my way to office in a jam- packed 461 bus. Yeah, right! Try saying this very thing to your sister/ daughter/ mother/ wife and you will know, I thought angrily to myself and didnt even bother to answer back to such insensitivity of a 'well qualified, highly educated' individual. And felt the anguish, the helplessness belongs only to me and nobody else and its just ME and nobody else who can fight for myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">And lo! I stumbled upon the Blank Noise Project, something very sensible and constructive that's happening off late. This project speaks about street harassment and what all can be done about it, where all of us 'eves' get royally 'teased' by the wannabe Abhisheks and Shahrukhs on the streets and bridges and gallis and koochaas.<br />This project forced me to start blogging, just to be a participant in the Blogathon thats due on the 7th of this month, to begin with, so that I can just puke out all the experiences, the frustration and anger and free advices I had since I was six??!!<br />And of course even those few punches and a few kicks here and there on those demented guys didnt turn out to be as satisfying as it will be by participating in the Blogathon.<br />So people, I guess its high time we crib and rant and bray and squeal about this pestering issue too and come up as a strong force to curb or at least put it under strict control as its rising day by day at an alarming rate.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I will be writing a seperate blog for the Blogathon before the 6th, why not you too be a part of it?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Also, feel free to forward this little piece of info to anyone who you feel would be interested in participating.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Do make a point to visit <a href="http://blanknoiseproject.blogspot.com/">Blank Noise Project </a>and get inspired, get moving.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><b><br />BEING FEARLESS IS A PROCESS</b> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">how did you learn to say no?</a> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">How and when you become an&nbsp;<b>Action Hero</b></a></div>Blank Noisehttps://plus.google.com/104647555251828481056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898361239830383757.post-72225270303957058272013-11-05T16:27:00.001+05:302013-11-05T16:27:39.123+05:30Action Hero Rivka<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Blog-a-thon 2006<br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://beksandro.blogspot.com/2006/03/few-incidents-chosen-at-random-for.html">A few incidents chosen at random... for the BLANK NOISE PROJECT <o:p></o:p></a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">At age 13 I remember waiting at a signal daydreaming away when this guy caught my attention, so busy licking his lips and sending me kisses in the most lecherous way. I was so bewildered. It didn't make any sense to me. I remember my mother telling me to just ignore men like that.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Back home in Chennai to do my intership after a year in Bombay, I'm on the bus to Ambattur. The bus is so crowded, there are all kinds of things poking into me, mostly harmless, some veggies, an umbrella, a penis...I feel sick and I get off the bus right then. Everyone asks me why I didn't scream. He'd have been beaten up for sure they say. I can't even begin to explain how overwhelmed with disgust I was, I wanted to be anywhere but there.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Somewhere in Bombay on another bus a man pinches me and I do yell but no one reacts. HE gets off and smirks at me from the ground. I feel ashamed of my outburst. I'm angry, worst of all helpless.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">On the train from Bombay to Cochin, there's a man I think is a cop. He was dropped to the station by a bunch of cops and they all looked like buddies. He seems nice enough but at night when everyone is getting their berths up I can feel him staring at me. The night is hot and I toss and turn and everytime I look up he's still staring.<br />I get up and go to the loo, when I get out, he standing right there, I move to the side so I can leave so he can use the loo. Instead he pushes me in a bit and asks me if he can come in with me. Before I know it I've run back to my berth. Everyone else is sleeping. I call Ro but I can't get through, so I call a friend of mine. She's like, make a scene, he deserves it but when I tell her I think he's a cop even she says drop it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I stay on the phone till the man gets back, then I wake up the boy on the berth above me. I consider telling him what happened but in the end nothing did happen and it boils down to his word against mine. The boy wanted to use my phone sometime earlier, so I wake him up and say I have reception now would he like to use my phone. He's so sweet, so in love he doesn't consider the lateness of the hour, he immediately says yes and has a long conversation with his fiance. I'm just happy for the company, my other eye on the man. When the boy is done with the phone I keep him talking until I see the man is asleep or at least faking it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The next day I didn't, couldn't get up from my seat till he got off at Shorunur.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Later I was rounding up all these incidents and more with friends and one of them a guy, tells me, "The problem with you is that you make eye contact with people, you smile at them, you don't look tough enough."</span><br /><b><br />BEING FEARLESS IS A PROCESS</b> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">how did you learn to say no?</a> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">How and when you become an&nbsp;<b>Action Hero</b></a></div>Blank Noisehttps://plus.google.com/104647555251828481056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898361239830383757.post-50807975001611165072013-11-05T16:25:00.001+05:302013-11-05T16:25:13.052+05:30Action Hero ~River~<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Blog-a-thon 2006 <br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://riversblueelephants.blogspot.com/2006/03/street.html">The Street</a></span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I have been reading the <span style="color: #631904;">Blank Noise Blogathon </span>posts. They have only reinforced what I’d always known. Street harassment is something that women confront everyday, without fail, every time they walk out of their homes. (For the moment/for this post, I'm going to ignore the harassment of women within the 'home'). All of us have hundeds of stories to share. Teaching in a women’s college has at least given me this knowledge--that I am not alone in the constant humiliation of my Self. The humiliation that I have to face simply because I have breasts and a vagina and I haven’t yet learnt to walk with lowered eyes. My stories are no different from the stories that other women have to tell. The ‘accidental’ brush, the pinching of buttocks, the groping hands in trains, the quick squeeze of the breasts, the rubbing of erect penises against the body—the list is endless. I feel like I need a rant, but I’m too tired today and a poem (or poems) will have to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">***<br /><br /><strong>The Street: I</strong><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The street knows<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I’m a sum total of body-parts<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I’m flesh<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">in the marketplace<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">ready for the taking<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The street grows<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">lewd hands<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">and sneering eyes<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">and slaps me until I shrink to a zero<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">***</span><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Street: II</span></strong><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">When my friend<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">talks about riding<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">a nightwave on a distant<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">moon-drenched street<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I want to scream.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I will never know<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">what it means<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">to seduce<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">the nightstreets<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">***</span><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Street: III</span></strong><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The street has inscribed<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">a frown inside me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I can’t rub it off<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">And I wear it<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">emblazoned on my skin.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">***<span style="color: #631904;"><br /><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span lang="EN" style="color: #631904; font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blog-a-thon%202006">BNP</a></span><br /><b><br />BEING FEARLESS IS A PROCESS</b> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">how did you learn to say no?</a> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">How and when you become an&nbsp;<b>Action Hero</b></a></div>Blank Noisehttps://plus.google.com/104647555251828481056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898361239830383757.post-45617117738289362042013-11-05T16:23:00.001+05:302013-11-05T16:23:06.636+05:30Action Hero Nishant<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Blog-a-thon 2006 <br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://latelyontime.livejournal.com/138261.html">Blank Noise Blogathon - Battle of the sexes</a></span></b><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I sat in the far end of the café at the end of the world, trying to ignore time and let my thoughts coil and uncoil in the dungeons of my mind. At eight in the evening on a Monday, the world, for all I cared, could march straight to apocalypse now and I would have strewn flowers in its way and smashed a bottle of champagne on its back. There is something manic about Mondays (as the song goes) that calls for a certain morbidity and snap-at-life-ness. However, here, in the sanctum of coffee fumes engulfed, in a snuck corner with nothing but a sheer wall behind me and the rest of the world stretching away from my toes, I felt the self sinking into a comfortable inertia. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">On the table next to mine, gelled and calvin klined, sat five men – specimen of what globalised consumption, rich parents and good education can do to people – talking at the top of their voices, showering hi-fives to each other, laughing, roaring, making jokes, having a ball of a time wrapped in their indifference to therestoftheworld. It was the mobile brigade, their phones always on the beep and their hands punching keys even as they talked under the neon hued tree-scape. I smiled at them, over the rising vapours of my cup, with benign amusement – old age comes with tolerance for that which reminds one of one’s own younger days, when one sat on the roads, around an old wizened man strewing cups of tea served in thick glasses, and felt disconnected from the traffic that passed us by; the hours, the days, the years. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Time tiptoed around me, knowing quite well that one false step and I would have killed it with a flat note. And just when I was feeling divinely alone – like god in his heaven, flipping over pages in an old, old book – she walked in. I am not particularly sure how to describe her but if Byron were alive, he would have stirred out of his hashish induced stupor and poked me in my ribs with a familiarity that the Romantics had perfected, and issued a small whistle and said, ‘Now that’s what I meant when I said, ‘Walks in beauty like the night’ ’ before sliding back into his hallucinogenic world. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">With quick unhurried steps, she climbed the stairs and made the entire room gasp – a thing of beauty joy forever – and with a smile that would have lit a couple of African nations for a year and a tilt of the head that could have changed seasons, she walked in. Her stride was unconcerned, her hands, covered in many bangles tinkled as they swayed. She punctuated her walk with a comma, perched, as if in mid-air, to sweep the room with her eyes and then traipsed along to the far corner of the triangular room that we were all entombed in. You could see that she was happy. She smiled at strangers – something you generally don’t do in big cities unless you are begging or waiting to be picked up, she irradiated a certain all’s-well-with-the-worldness around her that was infectious. The room felt a better place, now that she was there. In her eyes, one could see traces of a secret joy that she was fostering – nothing in specific, just the joy of somebody who was happy to be alive.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">People smiled back at her; momentarily taken aback, but caught in the wave of happiness that she was riding, but eventually giving in. The waiters all watched with their breaths held up, to see which table she descended on. And as she walked certain steps towards where I was sitting, there was a sudden lull in her stride. A chance word or comment from the GAP Group, as I called them in my mind, stopped her in midair as if she was frozen in time. As she stopped, there was a huge roar of laughter and the more courageous man – one shall call him that for lack of a better word – stood up and walked quickly to where she was standing. On the pretext of going nowhere he brushed against her and let his hand hover over her back, closer to the legs than you would have liked to imagine. And then with a look of a hyena that had found its prey, sauntered back to his table, his head held high and his pants tenting in the traces of a power erection.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It happened so fast that the only spectator to this whole thing was me and the bastids who were flocked at the table, their faces split in indecent glee and their eyes covered with a sheen of machismo, now that they had collectively conspired against a single woman in a public place. Her face was registering shock, like somebody had suddenly slapped her with a wet sponge. Her eyes were wide with the unexpected and quivering in anger. Her nostrils were dilating and her body was erect, caught in a rage that had no defining. I looked in horror back at her, wondering what to do next. What does one do next? Does one get up and preach to the bastids – the sons of bachelors, the gutter rats? Does one avenge the woman’s ‘honour’? Does one get up and shrug shoulders and leave it at that because that’s how the world functions? Does one join in, showing camaraderie to the macho men that they are? Does one pretend that it never happened? Does one make a mental note in the mind, only to quickly pile it up with something else? Does one naturalise it because come on, it happens every day to everybody, right?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Questions, at the speed of hemp fumes, rushed in my mind as I half sat and half stood, unable to reach a decision. Our eyes met and silently I offered her any help that she might have needed. But before I could stand up and offer any help of any sort, she turned. Taking slow and calculated steps she reached the roadside romeo who had just violated her, swung her hand in a style that would have made Sania Mirza gasp in envy and gave one tight resounding slap on his cheek. Swearing in styles that would have immediately made the censor board issue an A certificate, calling upon their mothers and sisters to the oldest professions in the world, she emptied a cup of hot coffee on a gelled head and then quietly walked back towards where I was sitting.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The silence in the room was palpable. The entire populace was staring between the two tables, from her to them, as if it was a tennis match. The rug rats had visibly shrunk, their eyes wide in horror. The Slapped sod was on the verge of tears and the others were doing a fine imitation of a rabbit caught in headlights. One slap and an overturned cup was all that was required to deflate their hormone fed masculinity. In two minutes, they had disappeared, their lesson learnt, hopefully thinking twice before ever engaging in casual eve teasing…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It needs people like her to remind at least half of MAN kind that even Adam, when he had walked up to Eve and made a pass, had a red cheek and a kick in his balls for the action. Eve teasing is a crime and to let it pass of as a joke, perhaps even bigger. Sexual harassment is an act of violation and violence and deserves to be punished – sometimes informally and sometimes through the law, depending upon the nature of it. It needs people like her to fight it. And it needs everybody who agrees with it, to support the fight. This is not a battle of the sexes – men versus women; it is the battle between people who care and people who don’t. Whether man or woman, if you see an act of sexual harassment, no matter how miniscule it might be, no matter who it is targeted at, do not ignore it or detach yourself from it. What happened to her could happen to anybody we know – men or women. And sometimes just your presence or solidarity gives the victim enough courage to right things up. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It is women’s day today and as a part of the <a href="http://blanknoiseproject.blogspot.com/2006/02/blank-noise-presents_22.html#links">Blank Noise Blogathon</a>, I endorse the need to fight actively against sexual harassment in public spaces around us.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br /></span></b></div><b>BEING FEARLESS IS A PROCESS</b> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">how did you learn to say no?</a> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">How and when you become an&nbsp;<b>Action Hero</b></a></div>Blank Noisehttps://plus.google.com/104647555251828481056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898361239830383757.post-66148307805605068442013-11-05T16:19:00.000+05:302013-11-05T16:19:07.685+05:30Action Hero Neha Paruthi <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Blog-a-thon 2006<br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://claussius.blogspot.com/2006/03/its-war-we-fight-every-day.html">Its a war we fight every day</a> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">From my first time on a local bus till date, it has been a constant battle. I remember the first time a disgusting hand gropped me. I was 15 then. I was so scared, that I didn't want to continue with my tuitions. My parents were understanding, they arranged for alternative means of transportation. A temporary respite. In college it began again. Everyday in the bus it was about surviving without an incident that leaves you feeling flithy and disgusted. Everyday was about self preservation through the public transport system. If you asked me for a profile of the kind of men to stay away from in the buses, I won't be able to. I have seen these men come in all ages, in all forms. From words, to looks , to gestures, to trying to touch you .. they will do anything.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Within a year I learnt how to stop being a victim and start protecting myself. Return the look with the stare that tells them you are not scared, Raise your voice and get the crowd on your side.. in metros men will be ready to beat up almost anyone, as if to release all their frustrations. I learnt to do it all.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">But it wasn't enough. Because I wasn't the only one going through this. I protected myself, but then I would see other women, girls going through the same thing. Probably they had learnt to keep quiet rather than raise your voice. My reactions were still the same... The same disgust.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I would see the same looks, gestures, hands targetted at others. I knew I couldn't sit silently so I raised my voice again.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">So instead of trying survive the bus myself, my fights became about making sure that others survived it too.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Yes, I learnt to survive. That is not the point. The point is Why did I need to learn it? What is wrong with this society that a girl has to fight her away through a 15 min trip on a public bus. When did we become so depraved?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The question I can't help asking is how much longer do I need to keep fighting? Can someone please answer...<o:p></o:p></span></div><b style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">&nbsp;</span></b><br /><b>BEING FEARLESS IS A PROCESS</b> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">how did you learn to say no?</a> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">How and when you become an&nbsp;<b>Action Hero</b></a></div>Blank Noisehttps://plus.google.com/104647555251828481056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898361239830383757.post-84770747130378892932013-11-05T16:17:00.004+05:302013-11-05T16:17:54.108+05:30Action Hero Neha Viswanathan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Blog-a-thon 2006<br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://nehasri.blogspot.com/2006/03/breaking-silence-blank-noise-project.html">Breaking the silence - Blank Noise Project.</a> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This is my contribution to the <a href="http://blanknoiseproject.blogspot.com/2006/02/blank-noise-presents_22.html">Blank Noise Project</a> <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blog-a-thon%202006">Blog-a-thon 2006</a>. This post is more of a ramble. However, <a href="http://knownturf.blogspot.com/2006/03/streets-stories-strategies.html">as others</a> <a href="http://mumbaigirl.blogspot.com/2005/11/why-did-you-touch-her.html">break</a><a href="http://shoefiend.blogspot.com/2006/03/blog-thon-for-blank-noise-project.html">their</a><a href="http://tilotamma.blogspot.com/2006/03/blank-noise.html">silences</a>, <a href="http://keyasmusings.blogspot.com/2006/03/truth-be-told.html">I can't help</a><a href="http://thewitchyangel.blogspot.com/2006/03/blank-noise-iii.html">but break</a> mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">When I was twelve, somebody leaned over and said - don't attract attention to yourself. That's what I have been doing all my life. When I leave my home, I clutch my belongings, adjust my clothes and will myself to be invisible. I occupy the tiniest strip of space. I am constantly moving sidewards to let men walk by, because I know they will most definitely "accidentally brush".<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">From some unknown age, a verbal survival guide becomes your holy book. Don't take an auto when it's dark. Don't take a bus in the rush hour. Get into the crowded "Ladies" compartment even if the "General" compartment is half empty. When you sit in an auto, never sit close to the sides even if you want to feel the wind in your hair. Sit in the centre, so no passing hand can reach inside and grope. Don't smile at the autodriver. Don't smile at the shopkeeper.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">By the time you're 18 you have permanent frown lines on your forehead. All your life, you have been biting your teeth and not smiling. In all public spaces.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I have never been able to sleep when on a train journey. Never been able to close my eyes for second when on a bus. Even on the most tiring of days. When I was in college - I used to carry a big bag and a folder. The folder would be clamped onto the chest, and the bag would be balanced on my back. My armour. I took to wearing salwar kameez in college for a while, wondering if it was about the clothes. It wasn't. It doesn't stop. I carried safety pins. A pocket knife. (Confiscated by the airport in Indore.) Another pocket knife.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">At least for my generation, it didn't end on the street. Street harassment followed you like a slithering reptile inside your home. They found out your phone numbers and made obscene calls. P used to get a lot of those calls. She used to come home (invisible on the street) and cry. Her parents thought it was her doing. You don't tell anyone about all this. Because telling family members is admitting to your vulnerability. It could mean restrictions. Especially when you are 15.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">One of my friends had acid thrown on her face. Because she refused to respond to the catcalls of a few boys. When they went to the Police, they asked her about her clothes, her friends, her behaviour, her habits. Then, they blamed her.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Coming back from college, if the bus was too crowded, I used to try and walk the seven kilometer stretch. Even in the bloody summers. Even when I kept away from the crowded bus, and walked - some asshole would drive by, roll down his window, and ask persistently if I wanted a lift. No. I'll give you a lift. No. Please come. No. Come you bitch. No. Walk. Five minutes later - another car. No. No. No.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="font-family: 'CG Omega', sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">In Bombay - the bus is safe as long as there is a critical number of people inside. If the bus felt a bit too empty, I would take an auto. I would have a pretend-conversation on the phone. So the autodriver knew that somebody knew where I was. Sometimes when bus conductors, autodrivers and shopkeepers try to hand back change - they squeeze your hand.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">We are surrounded by movies that encourage street harassment. Follow a girl enough times and she will fall in love with you. On the road, it's okay to sing vulgar songs about someone's waist, walk, eyes, bosom. Shame her into burning helplessness.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I don't want to be protected by a man. No man needs to feel responsible for me. I don't want a man to spew venom on my behalf. I don't want to be left alone because I am someone's wife, sister, daughter. I don't want to hide in "Ladies-Only" compartments. I want to look at a city's buildings and take photographs, without dodging a biker's hands. I don't want to be afraid to go into a Police Station. I want to be able to go for a walk without swallowing my fear by the minute.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I refuse to believe that all male bloggers are not involved in street harassment. I don't think most men realize that they have the male privilege. Street harassment takes on different forms - digital, cellular and otherwise. But it is the same in essence. They don't respect personal space in a public domain. The line between admiration and street harassment is not thin. I've been reading a lot of "I never knew this happened" testimonies penned by men, but I am curious about the other lot? Do they read this stuff? Are they going to dismiss this as feminist crap? I get an avalanche of vulgar anonymous comments sometimes - are they the same kind who harass on the streets?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Of course, street harassment is not unique to India. I am sure London has its share. But I would be lying if I didn't say that London welcomes me on her streets. I take photographs, smile at shopkeepers and on some occassions even sing to myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">What is unique to India is the apathy. The heartbreaking indifference. The SILENCE. Victims should not speak of being the victim. We should suffer in our silence. The "world" meanwhile, feigns ignorance. You process the blank noise in your head, and don't tell anyone. And hope that it will all go away. It doesn't.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Oh! What really gets my goat - is when somebody suggests that you learn Martial Arts to defend yourself. Right. So tomorrow if someone harasses me, and I get harassed, it's again my fault that I couldn't defend myself. Really?<o:p></o:p></span></div><b style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">&nbsp;</span></b><br /><b>BEING FEARLESS IS A PROCESS</b> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">how did you learn to say no?</a> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">How and when you become an&nbsp;<b>Action Hero</b></a></div>Blank Noisehttps://plus.google.com/104647555251828481056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898361239830383757.post-27192324194444916112013-11-05T16:15:00.003+05:302013-11-05T16:15:30.246+05:30Action Hero Neeta Shenoy <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Blog-a-thon 2006<br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://neatwit.blogspot.com/2006/03/online-activism-blank-noise-project.html">Online Activism: Blank Noise Project</a> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I was only 11 when I first realized that as a member of the 'weaker sex' I was vulnerable, and could easily fall prey to sexual abuse. But I had the power of education and a supporting family to teach me and protect me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Not everyone is as fortunate as I am, and more often than not, sexual abuse - both physical and verbal goes unreported and almost always, unpunished.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It is commendable that now both women and men are waking up to this bitter reality and putting their heads together to curb it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://blanknoiseproject.blogspot.com/">Blank Noise Project</a>is an online activism forum which is inviting people to come together and express solidarity with words. Their 'Blog-a-thon 2006' is a 'marathon' to make blog posts, and build testimonies against street harassment in the public space.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I understand that it will be a herculean task to put an end to social evils like eve-teasing, molesting and sexual abuse. And as long as the people in power continue to twiddle their thumbs over grave matters such as these, and pointing fingers at a woman's morals; it is the 'common woman' who has to take action. Whether it is a young woman travelling in a crowded bus, or a school girl walking down the alley - we have to worry about our own protection, and we have to raise over voices against harassment.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><b style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">&nbsp;</span></b><br /><b>BEING FEARLESS IS A PROCESS</b> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">how did you learn to say no?</a> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">How and when you become an&nbsp;<b>Action Hero</b></a></div>Blank Noisehttps://plus.google.com/104647555251828481056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898361239830383757.post-65778711280610818732013-11-05T16:14:00.002+05:302013-11-05T16:14:31.001+05:30Action Hero Neela Banerjee<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Blog-a-thon 2006<br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://neelanjanabanerjee.com/?p=78">Eve-Teasing</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I’ve only had this blog for about seven months and one of my most <a href="http://neelanjanabanerjee.com/?p=28">powerful entries</a> was about when I was harassed on the street by a man.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I have been trying to wrap my head around the global reach of eve-teasing, or street harassment, for as long as I can remember being aware of it. I grew up in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region> but have been traveling back to see my family in <st1:place w:st="on">West Bengal</st1:place>every few years or so since I was born. When I was young, my parents allowed me to wear shorts and t-shirts in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>as I squirmed under the intense heat. Then, as I morphed into a young adult, I joined the rest of the women who made sure we were suitably dressed when we left the house – breasts submerged under the careful folds of our dupattas or fitted under the layers of sari. My brother continued to wear shorts and tank-tops, much to my irritation. But even as a pre-teen, I saw it. The stares on the street, the way women kept their heads down or their eyes averted. I wasn’t used to it. When I was younger, I thought of it as a game. How many men will I look in the eye and shock today? How many men will I smile at from this passing car? At that point I felt empowered in my ignorance, and perhaps innocence. I felt as though these women were putting their heads down and avoiding these stares because they were conservative. I felt that this was just the root of my own mother’s anxious cautioning about boys that ruined my burgeoning social life back in the States. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I remember once when I was out shopping with my mother and aunt at New Market, or some place that was an early incarnation of the new fancy malls they have in Kolkata now. It must have been summer and I remember dawdling a few feet behind my mother, since I was always worn out by the heat and didn’t have the stamina for shopping that I do now. I remember that the market was dim, barely lit by the fluorescent lights in the ceiling. The floor was dusty and my feet were dragging. Suddenly, as is want to happen, the market went pitch black because of load shedding. It was probably just 30 seconds or so before the generators came on but when I could see again, my mother was right by my side looking panicked. She grabbed my arm harshly and started yelling at me. “Why are you lagging? You have to stay next to me!” I was so surprised by her anger. I remember pulling my arm away and being bratty because I didn’t understand. As she pulled me along, she said that I had to be careful because men in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>would do bad things to you. The moment sticks out to me because I saw so much fear in her eyes at that moment. It wasn’t until much later that I understood that my mother, like most women in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>, had experienced eve-teasing and was just trying to protect me. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">When I was in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> last year, I wrote this <a href="http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=e6b556b9667b12f5f7bd1244f106bb3b">article</a>about the connections I saw between technology and sexuality. I got a lot of responses from young men in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>who commented on what they thought was a contradiction: How I thought of myself as sexually liberated and then complained about men staring on the street. I felt like this idea – that women are asking for it – is the biggest problem that prevents eve-teasing and street harassment from ending. I’ve actually learned a lot about the issue in India by just perusing the <a href="http://blanknoiseproject.blogspot.com/">Blank Noise</a> site this past few days leading up to the Blog-a-thon. There are some really interesting <a href="http://www.india-seminar.com/2001/505/505%20pratiksha%20baxi.htm">articles</a>on the legality behind sexual harassment laws in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I always find that sexual harassment and safety issues come up with my girlfriends when we are traveling. Last year when I was in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>, I kept trying to separate the fear that my family instilled in my head with reality. Were cab drivers really going to abduct me and sell me into slavery? If I walked alone on the street after dusk was I really going to be harassed to the point of danger? This also happened when I was traveling in South and <st1:place w:st="on">Central America</st1:place>. Every time I found myself buying into the rhetoric that men in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region>were much more egregious street harrassers, I would think about my daily existence in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region> where I am constantly dealing with men making comments to me. Regardless of where I am in the world, I refuse to bow my head to this disempowerment. I am thinking of getting a camera phone just so I can participate in the <a href="http://www.hollabacknyc.blogspot.com/">Holla Back</a> project.<o:p></o:p></span></div><b style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">&nbsp;</span></b><br /><b>BEING FEARLESS IS A PROCESS</b> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">how did you learn to say no?</a> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">How and when you become an&nbsp;<b>Action Hero</b></a></div>Blank Noisehttps://plus.google.com/104647555251828481056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898361239830383757.post-16873329196950672062013-11-05T16:13:00.000+05:302013-11-05T16:13:05.731+05:30Action Hero Neel Sen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Blog-a-thon 2006<br /><b style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /><a href="http://alkyron.livejournal.com/105353.html">highlighting a social evil</a></span></b><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">easy to say - "it only happens to other people", and "im not responsible for it".<br />fact is , eve-teasing will touch your life even if you dont indulge in it , or are victimized by it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">as a upstanding member of the human species , i find it reprehensible that guys would indulge in passing filthy remarks about people who are daughters, wives, mothers.<br />as much as i'd like to ignore it happens , it does.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The people in the position to halt it OFFICIALLY shrug off responsibility by saying "she's to blame for it!" and "western attire will invite that" .... i happen to believe that is RANK BULLSHIT.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">im sure that girls wearing demure shalwar kameezes and saris too have been 'molested verbally'...and their attitude has NOTHING to do with the misdemeanour.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">as i started to say before, its all about the ability to decide not to - the fact that there's a pretty girl on the street , does NOT warrant for a guy to go ahead and invite her attentions, by means fair or foul.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Hindi MAINSTREAM cinema, has a bit to contribute, in its wanton celebration of "Hero playing the bad guy, wins the attention of the heroine". maybe the people who indulge in Eve-teasing, do NOT have the necessary reasoning power to respect ANY girl.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">a guy trying to stop this will either be beaten up , or come to worse bodily harm. at best, he can be told "teri kya lagti hai ?".<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">like ragging , as in eve-teasing, the best way to cure this social ill is summed up in a phrase from "Bartleby the Scrivener" by Hermann Melville.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">"I Choose Not To "</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><b style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">&nbsp;</span></b><br /><b>BEING FEARLESS IS A PROCESS</b> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">how did you learn to say no?</a> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">How and when you become an&nbsp;<b>Action Hero</b></a></div>Blank Noisehttps://plus.google.com/104647555251828481056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898361239830383757.post-64903958039724668462013-11-05T16:11:00.003+05:302013-11-05T16:11:34.864+05:30Action Hero Silbil <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Blog-a-thon 2006<br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://nandinikablog.blogspot.com/2006/03/smash-drip-and-evaporatelearn-to-be.html">Smash, drip and evaporate...learn to be a woman.</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">After reading through the various posts at this <a href="http://blanknoiseproject.blogspot.com/">brilliant blog </a>and sifting through my own experiences and bloody extractions,I have written this piece...<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">and it's still in process...<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Smash smash smash.The satisfying sound of the glass crashing down .The time standing still for those few seconds .The liberation.The sexy crunch of the glass…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Ah…bliss.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">But that feeling is too much to ask of this world. So I smash my mind instead .And heart doesn’t soar … Like it should at the sound of breaking rules. The smashed bloody mind just takes it silently… No fun there, I tell you!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I should be ‘losing control’ the way men on the bikes did in ‘Rang De Basanti’ .While the pretty girls cheered them on .Didn’t they make your body pulsate with what all that you want to do? Not mine though! I was too busy giving in to control.<br />Screams free you! They did that too Naseeruddin Shah in Hero Heeralal But what happens to the screams of the heroines?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Heroines…the babes who get raped and after some eve teasing fall in love and promptly touch the feet of the savior husband after the interval.<br />I am telling you there can be nothing as awe inspiring as the justice of the Hindi films. Nothing as spiritually elevating.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">see it's like this-You sexually molest me and I fall in love with you instantly…okay?<br />And then I marry you and I look up to you all my life…okay? So what I have done is that I have begged you to save me from yourself…understood?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Also add to it some economics .Isn’t it more cost effective to rape me every night? After that genius stroke of ‘mangalsutra’ .Than to rape me just once in while. Also now you can focus on so many more freelance rapes… <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Marriage is all about common sense, my love.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And believe me I am going to slap the next, educated person who complains about the aimless youth…especially men. Seriously, get a life dude!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Aimless? Unemployed? Look at all the hard work that they put in.<br />First they decide what a beautiful woman should look like<br />Small waist. Toned thighs Cute ass? The poor men …they have to constantly decide whether bigger is better…or maybe it should be small and firm… then...Smooth skin…no pimples…not dark<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Not too big, not too small, not too sagging, not too perked up- breasts.<br />And if you feminist… loser… loner whatever shit they call you these days<br />Don’t come up to the standards they have to fail you and you can curl up in your bed alone and let your heart shrivel up. And this is just in short what all they have to keep an eye on.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Then the other group swings in action . See.they are men and therefore practical so they divide the work amongst them …fine?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">So the other groups sit in various, inconvenient, uncomfortable places like buses and roads nd offices and homes .And then they have to pinch, grope, maul, twist, slap <br />and do all that physically excruciating work … because the bloody women always look enticing…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And they have to do that<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">You think it’s fun for them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">You think they enjoy this.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">They ask irritably and wearily.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And I feel sorry for the poor darlings<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Can they help it…that unfortunate hard-on and all that<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">When they see anything that resembles a woman<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And they must despite themselves<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">do all of the above.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Please understand na,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">They are men…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">What can they do?<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Yesterday i was watching Madagascar and the most fantastic part of the film according to me is where Alex the lion is frantic with worry and he cages himself and asks himself and later his Zebra friend if he is really a monster...with all the hunger that is killing him and all the temptations around he is petrified of himself....and I wondered if any of the molestors have had that dillemma ...are they actually monsters from inside? <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: 'CG Omega', sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">Alex the lion won the battle with his monster self by the way...</span><br /><b><br />BEING FEARLESS IS A PROCESS</b> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">how did you learn to say no?</a> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">How and when you become an&nbsp;<b>Action Hero</b></a></div>Blank Noisehttps://plus.google.com/104647555251828481056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898361239830383757.post-3100381644309007552013-11-05T16:09:00.001+05:302013-11-05T16:09:17.479+05:30Action Hero Namit Chaturvedi <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Blog-a-thon 2006 <br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://chaturvedi.blogspot.com/2006/03/dogs.html">Dogs</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I see a kid shine in her eyes. She beats me at who-has-most-scars-on-the-body. She has them all, broken bones, stitches, bruises, even dog bites and scratches. “Of course” she says with a grin, “I can’t show you how many scars I gave those dogs.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The dogs who violated the woman in her, she couldn’t hurt them back. How she wishes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">How I wish.</span><br /><b><br /><br />BEING FEARLESS IS A PROCESS</b> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">how did you learn to say no?</a> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">How and when you become an&nbsp;<b>Action Hero</b></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Blank Noisehttps://plus.google.com/104647555251828481056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898361239830383757.post-74980327163029899332013-11-05T16:08:00.001+05:302013-11-05T16:08:02.272+05:30Action Hero Mystic Chick<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Blog-a-thon 2006<br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://mysticchick.blogspot.com/2006/03/letter-to-old-acquaintance.html">Letter to an old acquaintance</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">Hello mister pervert,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">Remember me? I often bump into you on the street. In fact, we met twice today; once in the morning when I made my way to work and you complimented me on my dark goggles and fair complexion by singing a line of a Hindi film song, and then in the evening when you invited me to a <i>bagiya</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">Okay, now that you recollect who I am, let me take this opportunity to thank you for umpteen gifts you have bestowed on me. Let me beign with the gift of <b>early revelation</b>. I remember meeting you for the first time when I was around 12. It was a hot summer afternoon and I was walking back from a video store when you gave me the first ever glimpse of a wee-wee. Thanks ever so much for helping me grow up before time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mister ageless man, thanks for <b>always being around</b>. Friends may come and go, but you have always been there. Giving me that look as I walked back from school, making me run past the dark alley after a late tution class, whistling when I rushed for an early morning lecture with hair still wet, twitching my breast as I walked with my mother, trying to rub against me in a crowded bus...you have never let me feel unwanted.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">Thanks for <b>scaring my family</b>. You also get the credit for ridding me of three girlfriends whose marriage I could not attend as my family feared you would make an appearance as I got back home. Yeah, and that rafting trip I could never take, thanks to you, old pal.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mister man-from-no-particular-social-strata, you are also the one to be thanked for <b>putting me off boys</b> in my teens. You made sure I never went for moon-lit walks, I never ate ice cream on the green-dewy lawns of India Gate at <st1:time hour="0" minute="0" w:st="on">midnight</st1:time>, I stayed home on the eve of millennium, and I never wasted time on a lot of other such meaningless experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">After all it is my fault that I am a girl. A girl who needs to be safe. A girl who needs to think three times before visiting a friend late in the evening. A girl who has learned to inwardly smile at lewd invitations for a quickie behind the wall. A girl who is looked at as an object. And, you are the man of suppressed desires and overflowing frustration. You need an outlet. I understand. However, I do not want you to meet my future daughter. Do you understand? I do not want you to scare my little girl out of her wits while she is on a trip to Vaishno Devi with her friends. I do not want you to soil my daughter's fond memories of the first kiss. I will not let you. Today, I promise myself that I'll take the first small but meaningful step to ensure my future child's safety. I will call <b>1091</b>the next time I see you.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;">Yours sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">mystic chick</span><br /><b><br />BEING FEARLESS IS A PROCESS</b> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">how did you learn to say no?</a> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">How and when you become an&nbsp;<b>Action Hero</b></a></div>Blank Noisehttps://plus.google.com/104647555251828481056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898361239830383757.post-34219010764666011302013-11-05T16:06:00.002+05:302013-11-05T16:06:27.972+05:30Action Hero Mumbaiwallah<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Blog-a-thon 2006 <br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://mumbaiwallah.blogspot.com/2006/03/so-many-stories.html">So many stories</a></span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">My head hurts.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I've been reading the entries for the <a href="http://blanknoiseproject.blogspot.com/">Blank Noise Project's blog-a-thon </a>and I'm shaking. So many stories, so much anger, fear, rage. There's a chill up my spine and it's not due to the steady rain falling outside. I feel like screaming right now. So many stories...<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">My mum emails to comment on my post. She says it's a relief to be a woman in your fifties. You can walk more freely, she says wryly. <i>I</i> don't want to be fifty before I can walk without holding a bag in front of my chest protectively or ramming my elbow into someone who's intruded too far into my space. I don't want to spend a walk down the street dodging outstretched palms and twisting my torso to protect myself. I want to be able to climb into a bus or train and not feel violated. Someday?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.knownturf.blogspot.com/">Annie's</a>post brought tears. I found myself nodding vigorously, agreeing with every word; every sentence rang true. Everybody has a story to tell and they are all different versions of the same tale. Most of my female co-bloggers have a post. <a href="http://mumbaigirl.blogspot.com/2005/11/why-did-you-touch-her.html">Mumbaigirl</a>, <a href="http://shoefiend.blogspot.com/2006/03/blog-thon-for-blank-noise-project.html">Shoefie</a>, <a href="http://www.gonomad.com/traveltalesfromindia/2006/03/public-transport-in-india-and-my.html">Mridu</a>, <a href="http://keyasmusings.blogspot.com/">Keya</a>...<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Will this ever end?</span><br /><b><br /><br />BEING FEARLESS IS A PROCESS</b> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">how did you learn to say no?</a> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">How and when you become an&nbsp;<b>Action Hero</b></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Blank Noisehttps://plus.google.com/104647555251828481056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898361239830383757.post-64821128238505074672013-11-05T16:04:00.001+05:302013-11-05T16:04:34.171+05:30Action Hero Mumbaiwallah<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Blog-a-thon 2006 <br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://mumbaiwallah.blogspot.com/2006/03/unacceptable.html">Unacceptable</a></span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This is a subject that fills me with rage. Not just mere anger, annoyance or irritation. R A G E. It's one of those things that makes me feel homicidal. And that's putting it mildly. To think that 100% of women in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>also feel the same way infuriates me even more. This is a problem that is not going to go away. Not while most Indian men are still brought up with the idea that it is 'okay' to feel up every girl or woman that crosses their path.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.blanknoiseproject.blogspot.com/">The Blank Noise Project </a>is a very interesting project that is fighting to make street harrasment (or eve teasing) unacceptable. That's the word that should define how we women react to being talked to, touched or looked at on the street - UNACCEPTABLE. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I grew up having a tough vision of myself as a woman. My gender, as a child, a teenager or in my 20s, was never a disadvantage. My mum taught us to be very, fiercely proud of ourselves. Sadly, the rest of the city did not have such wonderfully feminist mothers. Growing up one had to deal with all sorts of men- those that just 'thought' (and you could see it in their faces) or those that actually 'tried'.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Just thinking about all those incidents makes my blood boil. The innumerable times to and from school &amp; college where the bus conductor brushed against women in the bus deliberately. I stopped taking the bus if I saw that conductor. (As a teenager, you just wanted to get to where you were going without any hassle - stamping on the conductors foot often did not help.)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Then there were the creeps at railway stations who would push against you and protest that it was an accident if you made a noise (or if they were slapped or hit with my trustworthy brolly, as I was wont to do).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Or those fellows in buses who took up more than their fair share of the seat, legs splayed wide. If a polite request to glue their knees together didn't work, I have been known to call the conductor and complain about the harrasment resulting in getting the creep thrown out of the bus.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Or what about those men who sit on the seat behind you in a BEST bus and then proceed to touch you from the gap between the seat and the bus wall. Some of them have since wished they were born without fingers, but the city (and country) is still teeming with them, with more coming out of the woodwork every minute.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I won't even bother to talk about those who expose themselves at bus stops or those that pinch you as you walk by in a crowd. There are just too many.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">For all these and more, I have always responded. In retrospect, sometimes not very wisely. Retaliation, however, was an instinct. Keeping quiet or 'accepting' it was not part of the deal.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">My penchant for anger at such incidents was so great that I know my mum often feared for my safety till I got back home. But there was no way I was letting anybody get away with this. No way. As far as I was concerned, <i>nobody has a right to touch me without my permission</i>. Nobody. If they did, it was asking for trouble.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Being in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region> has been so vastly liberating for me. I cannot even begin to express what a relief it is to be able to walk down a crowded road and have men maintain a safe distance from you. It's not about me being Indian or not attractive enough. As women of all ages, shapes,size or color will testify, none of those things matter. And <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3044/801/1600/youdidnot.1.jpg">your clothes certainly do not contribute to your harrasment</a>. Being completely covered is not a pre-requisite to being safe.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Here, I not only walk without having to twist my body away each time I see a man bearing down upon me like a freight train, but gratefully, I can run. I can run on pavements and public streets and not be heckled. I can run or take a brisk walk and not be propositioned. I feel no fear when I run in the dark. You can be mugged of course, but that's a different kind of crime we are talking about.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Here, I can wear almost anything I want and feel comfortable enough to go out - knowing that I won't hear lewd comments or have a hand up my top. In the past year or so that I've been here, I have not had one experience that has made me feel uncomfortable about being a woman. Not one. And that's something to say for this country which has many negative points as far as accomodating people from other countries goes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">For that reason alone, I will be sorry to leave <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://shoefiend.blogspot.com/">Shoefie </a>sums it up eloquently saying, "Worse things have happened to others. But what binds us is our silence."<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">How true.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Join in the debate. The least we can do is make a noise.</span><br /><b><br /><br />BEING FEARLESS IS A PROCESS</b> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">how did you learn to say no?</a> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">How and when you become an&nbsp;<b>Action Hero</b></a></div>Blank Noisehttps://plus.google.com/104647555251828481056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898361239830383757.post-83156261776227019782013-11-05T16:02:00.002+05:302013-11-05T16:02:28.766+05:30Action Hero Mumbai Girl <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Blog-a-thon 2006<br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://mumbaigirl.blogspot.com/2005/11/why-did-you-touch-her.html">Why Did You Touch Her?</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Last week, while I was eating lunch, my sister was reading the newspaper-an article about AIDS and how some men still sought out young virgin girls to "cure" them of the disease. Suddenly she casually mentioned the ex-cook of someone we used to know. He used to grope me, she said. Filled with rage and shock, I just stared at her, unable to say anything. AP, another cook, still with some friends, had dealt with him, she told me. This wasn't the first time my sister had been groped or sexually assaulted, but I don't know why she chose to tell me of this particular incident only now. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">For the past week I've been filled with a feeling of impotent rage and misery and bad memories. The feeling that I could not protect my sister. Memories of the many times I myself have been felt up. Memories of one night in the hostel at college when some of us girls got together, talking about some of the worst times in our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I first remember being pinched at Grant Road Market, where I had gone shopping with my mother. I was standing near a cart piled with whatever wares the vendor was selling, holding my mother's hand. I was so young, I had no breasts to pinch. Yet this man came by and did just that and then started running away. My mother turned and I blurted out what had happened and she ran after him. He was caught, by her and some other people, and severely beaten, taken away by the police. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Other times, I didn't have my mother with me. Like the time I went to a magazine shop and was grabbed and groped from behind. I came back home, tears running down my cheeks and kept showering, as if that would somehow make things better. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Then there was a time in some small town in the South, between school and Chennai, when I was in a moving auto rickshaw and a guy reached his arm inside to get a feel. I felt like there were spiders crawling all over me. At that time I had 15 year old A next to me (now my husband) who saw what was happening and yanked me inside. We didn't even see his face, he sped off on a motorbike. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">There was the taxi driver I once passed who flashed. If I came across a flasher today, I would think he was just pathetic and report him to the police. But I was 11 then and absolutely shocked, so much so that I was trembling.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The list just goes on-grew when I went to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Delhi</st1:place></st1:city>. Never travelled on the bus without a sharp object. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I don't know what triggered it, but one night some of us girls were sitting together in my room-mates and my room in the hostel. We were talking about being groped, sexually assaulted, raped. Not a single one of us had escaped. Not a single one. The stories came out slowly, most of them never talked about before.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">S was regularly assaulted by her cousin. She was only seven and didn't understand what was happening. Her cousin threatened her and told her not to tell anyone. Until one day, her mother found her wearing sperm sodden underwear while helping her change. Her mother, a widow in a small town, confronted the family. They denied everything and accused her of maligning their son.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">My best friend N, who told me everything, but hadn’t told me or anyone else this, suddenly revealed she had been molested by her own cousin. Taken into backrooms. And then later, by her sister's father-in-law, in a car, when he'd taken her out shopping.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Another friend, raped, because she turned down the advances of a man who kept chasing her.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: 'CG Omega', sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">I haven't talked about this issue with my friends and colleagues here in the </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: 'CG Omega', sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: 'CG Omega', sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">, but I don't have a single Indian girlfriend who hasn't been groped or sexually assaulted in one way or another. Not a single one. It happened to my mother, it happened to me, it happened to my sister, it happened to my friends. It continues to happen.</span><br /><b><br />BEING FEARLESS IS A PROCESS</b> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">how did you learn to say no?</a> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">How and when you become an&nbsp;<b>Action Hero</b></a></div>Blank Noisehttps://plus.google.com/104647555251828481056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898361239830383757.post-52064118810203556462013-11-05T15:59:00.001+05:302013-11-05T15:59:05.426+05:30Action Hero Mriganayanii<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Blog-a-thon 2006 <br /><b style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br /><a href="http://mriganayanii.blogspot.com/2006/03/blank-noise-project-agains_114209733219779187.html">The coward who changed my life</a></span></b><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://mriganayanii.blogspot.com/2006/03/blank-noise-project-agains_114209733219779187.html">I used to feel that they’d always intimidate me.</a></span></b></span><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">That no matter how old I grew, however wise or however brave, I wouldn’t be able to get over that feeling. It’s hard to describe it – I wouldn’t call it fear, for I was never scared of them. Rather, it was a mixture of indignation, intimidation and sadly, even shame. So I’d always be on my guard in busy places, markets, parks, cinema halls – eyes alert, arms firmly by my side, hoping that I wouldn’t feel that purposeful grip or brush against my body – that unsanctioned touch that infuriated me but which I knew I’d do nothing about. They intimidated me, you see.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">That was then.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4898361239830383757" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In time, I made a strange discovery, one that I hadn’t ever thought possible to be a fact – They were cowards. Inside, they were nothing more than small minded , mouse like, sleazy, cowards. It happened one day when I was walking on a busy footpath. Coming towards me from the opposite direction was a man who seemed intent to walk right into me, despite there being ample space on the either side of me. Attempting to stem the discomfort that was beginning to rise in me, I decided to try a new strategy – I continued walking, raised my head high, shoulders straight back and looked at him. Right into his two eyes. Square. He met my gaze for a while but didn’t hold it for too long. He slowed his pace, the leer on his face began to fade away, he looked away, and stepped out of my way. Not for one moment till we’d passed each other did I break eye contact with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I realised that day, that they were not worth the dignity my meekness had been granting to them. In a way, that day changed my life. After athat, when I detected intimidation rising in my chest, I’d dispell it immediately with the memory of the coward.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">They say you win half the battle when you’ve conquered fear of it. I was determined not to shut up and swallow humiliation anymore – in buses, on streets, in trains, busy market places because I hated what my silence , our silence , had done for them. Small, mouse-like , sleazy cowards. It had elevated them to heights of bravado and arrogance that they did not have in them to achieve in any other way. I decided I wasn’t going to be part of it anymore and I was always going to make a scene.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And so I did.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“ Thik se khade nahi reh sakte bus mein?” (can’t you stand properly in a bus?) I’d yell loudly for all to hear. And I’d watch as he shuffled his feet, mumbled something incoherently, and looked away, keeping a great deal of a distance from me now.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Move your hand, I have to sit here” I once said loudly to an elderly man sitting next to me in a train, who most coincidently always placed his hand on the seat I was going to sit in before I sat in it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Old men, young men, middle aged men, married men, high school boys, fathers, grandfathers. I felt I was going to run out of puke.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“If you touch me again, I’ll break your bloody hands and then take you to the principal” – this was a college canteen waiter who most unfortunately picked the wrong person to get funny with. I never saw him after that – the man who would lie in wait for me to walk down the corridoor so he could walk past me every day. This was one of the most satisfying days of my life. There were so many people I knew sitting there– students, laboratory assistants, teachers – I felt like just shutting up and just forgetting about it, shoving it to the back of my head. But I couldn’t. My mind wouldn’t let me – it kept reminding me of what this kind of attitude had done for women in my country - Are you going to be part of the problem or the solution, Nayan? - It seemed to scream at me. I had to make a scene.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It angers me so much now when I see women on streets, in buses, movie halls, shopping malls, trains being harrassed either verbally or physically and keeping their mouths shut. It happens everywhere – they just shut up, forget about it, push it away from their minds. They begin to accept it as a part of their ‘lot’ by virtue of being a woman. It makes my blood boil.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And yet, there are times I feel that perhaps I’m wrong in thinking like this – after all, it isn’t easy to face one’s fears. And who am I to decide that all women must /are obliged to behave in a way I deem right. There are so many dimensions to the problems and so many sub-issues involved here, the biggest one being the socio-cultural set up in India that moulds the two sexes in different ways – something I believe responsible for most, if not all our country’s problems today.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“India has finally arrived” , Boink said to me. And that set me thinking. Bush is here with flowers, the arm of friendship, and the offer of collaboration. Our GDP rises steadily, Economy’s going great guns, Sensex breaks new barriers every fortnight, Indian techies seem to be the need of the hour, women have revolutionised themselves with jobs, security, money – independence.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The tragedy is – the mindset seems to be unchanged. Inspite of all the liberation and emancipation, we’re still intimidated. Intimidated by small-minded, mouselike, sleazy, cowardly men.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: &quot;CG Omega&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It would be laughable if it weren’t so sad<o:p></o:p></span></div><b><br /><br />BEING FEARLESS IS A PROCESS</b> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">how did you learn to say no?</a> <br /><a href="http://actionheroes.blanknoise.org/2013/09/loading.html" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s initial initial; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s initial initial;">How and when you become an&nbsp;<b>Action Hero</b></a></div>Blank Noisehttps://plus.google.com/104647555251828481056noreply@blogger.com0